Jim Solomon died on Sunday, March 28. Solomon was a beloved member of the Firelands community. He spent 37 years at the high school as a science teacher, athletic director and football, wrestling and softball coach. On Thursday, April 1 nearly one thousand people filled the Firelands gym to celebrate Solomon’s life. At the request of his family, his coworkers and his former students, a scholarship is being established in his name to given each year to a graduating senior from Firelands High School. Tax deductible donations should be made payable to:
Firelands Schools Endowment Fund
c/o Jim Solomon Memorial Scholarship
11970 Vermilion Road
Oberlin, OH 44074

Here are just a few memories of Jim that were shared before and during his service:

“He loved Jeopardy and he would know every question. I told him he should go on the show but he would say, ‘He was good sitting on the couch.’ He loved science, history — to read. He loved to laugh and treasure hunt with my mom. He would have done anything for anyone.”
- Stacy Wilson, daughter

“He gave my brothers and I the Vermilion River as a playground.”
-Stacy Wilson, daughter

“I can’t remember ever being mad at Jim once in 54 years”.
-Bruce Solomon, Jim’s younger brother

“He walked on to Ohio State, but got injured and it ended his career. He told me that Woody Hayes never forgot anyone. Years later, a player of Jim’s was seriously injured. He was paralyzed and in the hospital. Jim heard that Woody was in town and called him, “I don’t know if you remember me, but, you could you autograph something for my player as it would mean a lot.” Woody not only remembered Jim but he went to the hospital and spent several hours visiting. This is not a story about Woody Hayes but a story about Jim. That is what Jim would do for any of his players. He didn’t forget anyone.”
-Anne Callahan, colleague of Solomon

“He was always smiling with a twinkle in his eye. Twenty years ago I believed that coaches and athletic directors were not supportive of the arts. Jim blew that notion out of the water. He and his wife attended all our productions. When I would get tickets for Playhouse Square, Jim would be so enthusiastic about it..”
- Penny Szunyogh, colleague of Solomon

“He told me that ‘You will love retirement, every day is Saturday.”
- Penny Szunyogh, colleague of Solomon

“He had a special rapport with the players. He could relate to the kids and they respected him. He was very humourous. He made the kids laugh and me laugh too. He touched a lot of people’s lives in positive ways.”
-Matt Smith, fellow science teacher and coach

“Remember the movie ‘Mr. Holland’ I just wish I was creative enough to direct a movie about all Jim’s years at Firelands.”
-Jeff Keck, former Firelands coach and current Vermilion baseball coach

“He was a true mentor. I was working part time while I looked for a full-time job. He came to me and asked me if I wanted to coach football with him. Those five simple minutes changed my life. We would win the Inland Conference. Seven years, later he encouraged me to apply to be the head football coach. He said just apply and get some experience to help me get a future job. The next day they offered me the job. I couldn’t answer right away I had to go talk to Jim first. He told me to take it and that he would be my offensive coordinator, that he would get Jeff (Keck) and Matt (Smith) to come back and it wold be like 1985 all over again. That season we had a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to beat Vermilion. Jim’s son, Justin, had a big game. I knew it wasn’t my win but our win. He was so proud. He wanted to beat Vermilion more than any other team.”
- Andy Gulish, former Firelands head coach

“When I think of Jim I think of a guy who put everyone else first. It was just ingrained in him. He was caring, creative, animating, inspiring educator I have ever seem. He knew how to reach each student as an individual.”
-Don Hunsinger, long-time friend of Solomon

“He was one of my coaches my junior and senior years. He was a guy I really looked up to and tried to pattern myself after. He did a lot of things to help me in my high school career and also prepare for me football at Kent State. He made a big positive difference in everyone’s life he touched. We would get a chance to talk every so often. I would pick his brain and he would help me with situations I faced as a head coach. He was helpful my whole life.”
-Art Daniels, former Firelands student and Westlake coach, teacher and administrator

“I turned on Vermilion Road and I saw that parking lot full and I knew there would be a lot of people here but I threw me for a loop just how many people were here. He is a very deserving person and you could tell how many lives he touched by the people here.”
-Art Daniels, former Firelands student and Westlake coach, teacher and administrator