By Steve Cornelius
As an adult , the late Jeff Perkins excelled in every aspect of his career . Not only was he an outstanding educator and leader , but he achieved the highest level in almost every position he held throughout his illustrious career .
Perkins started out as a physical education teacher at Meece Middle School and ended up being named the principal of his alma mater Somerset High School , and later served on the Somerset Schools Board of Education .
In the coaching arena , Perkins worked his way up from an assistant coach to being named the head coach of the Briar Jumpers football team . Later , Perkins served on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association ( KHSAA ) Board of Controls and was inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame for his total body of work in high school athletics .
Everyone in the local area – and around the state – knew of Jeff Perkins as the coach , the educator , and the administrator . But Jeff Perkins ’ other true greatness was seen on the local athletic playing fields in the 1960 ’ s .
Growing up as a young boy , Jeff Perkins was always playing in the shadows of his older brother John Perkins .
“ I was a couple of years older than him ,” John Perkins stated . “ When we played little league baseball and football , Jeff was always in the background behind me as his older brother . He was kind of small for his age . In baseball he had a heck of an arm . They tried to make a pitcher out of him , but he could really hit the ball well and get on base .”
“ In youth football , I played for the Jumpers and he played for the Wildcats ,” John Perkins recalled . “ I remember Jeff never liked to get hit in football , and we didn ’ t like to hit others . I guess that was a
September 2022 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 17