Steve Somers '82

Benefactor
Men's Basketball, 1980-82

Class of 2015

Steve Somers was a member of the men’s basketball team for two seasons (1980-1982) and currently is completing his second season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bears baseball team, in addition to serving on the College’s board of trustees. The owner and president of Vigon International has been an extremely generous contributor to the College across a variety of settings and played an instrumental role in providing many of the amenities that exist within The Hill Center.

“Steve’s recent contributions to SJC have been truly transformational, and have had a profound effect not just for the benefit of the Brooklyn athletic program, but for the entire college as a whole,” said SJC Brooklyn athletic director Frank P. Carbone. “His generosity extends beyond the financial scope as he selflessly has given his time, energy, advice and enthusiasm, and has inspired all of us with his passion and dedication to St. Joseph’s.

“Whether it’s through teaching life lessons to a student-athlete on the baseball diamond, helping to support an aspiring first generation chemistry student achieve their dreams, or by providing the necessary funds and resources for our teams to travel and compete at the highest level, Steve has been a vital component in the fabric of the Brooklyn Campus’ athletic program. Steve is truly deserving of this great honor.”

Somers currently resides in Hackettstown, New Jersey, along with his wife of 30 years, fellow SJC alum Sharon Petty Somers ’82. The couple has two children: Steve Jr., who works alongside his father at Vigon, and Kristin, who is a grammar school teacher in New Jersey. Somers also serves on a variety of other boards and professional organizations and is frequently called upon as a guest speaker at numerous events, including delivering the commencement address for the class of 2015 at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.