On October 28, Summit Sportsplex welcomed NFL legend and former head coach Herm Edwards for the fourth and final event of the 2026 Summit Leadership Series. More than 600 students and community members from across Southwest Virginia gathered to hear his message about leadership, discipline, and believing in yourself.
Edwards brought a lifetime of experience to the conversation. His career has included 10 seasons as an NFL player, head coaching roles with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, leading Arizona State University’s football program, and sharing his perspective as an ESPN analyst.
At Summit, his lessons reached well beyond football.
Edwards encouraged students to take accountability, put the team first, and execute the little things. He spoke about having a plan for your life, trusting your potential, and recognizing that how you respond to adversity matters.
Giving back is personal for Edwards. As he told WSLS 10 News, “Life is about paying it back. You pay things back.” His visit was an opportunity to do exactly that, sharing the lessons he has learned with young people who are beginning to shape their own futures.
That investment continued after the main event. Edwards met privately with a group of Roanoke City Public Schools students and team captains, giving them additional time to connect and continue the conversation.
Experiences like these are why our partnership with Roanoke City Public Schools means so much to us. Together, we’re creating opportunities for students to hear new perspectives, learn from people who have faced challenges, and see more possibilities for life beyond graduation.
As this year’s Summit Leadership Series comes to a close, we’re grateful to Coach Edwards, our school and community partners, and everyone who helped make these experiences possible.
Every speaker brings a different story. The purpose remains the same: help young people build character, grow in confidence, and move toward their futures with a sense of what’s possible.
