Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier returned to Fort Walton Beach High School on Friday night for a halftime ceremony honoring him and his father, Billy Uthmeier, at the Vikings’ game against South Walton High School.

• It was Uthmeier’s first time attending a football game at the stadium where he graduated 20 years ago.

“I’ve actually never been to a football game here,” Uthmeier said. “The stadium was done just in time for my graduation in 2006. I think the first football season played here was the following year, 2007. So it’s a neat thing to come back to.”

Uthmeier, who grew up in Destin, played on the Viking baseball team and served as Captain of the cross country team before going on to the University of Florida and Georgetown Law. He previously served as Chief of Staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed him Florida’s Attorney General in February 2025.

The evening began with a meet-and-greet around 6:30 p.m. in the south end zone, where leaders from the Okaloosa County School District, teachers, local officials and members of the business community gathered to welcome the Uthmeiers. James attended with his father and two of his children.

• Shortly before kickoff, the Uthmeiers walked to the 50-yard line for the coin toss. James asked his father to do the honors, and they used a special Attorney General’s coin.

Following the coin flip, the family toured the on-campus baseball field that sits directly behind the stadium. Billy Uthmeier led the effort to build the field more than 20 years ago. Before that, Viking baseball teams spent 35 years playing their home games two miles off campus at Jet Stadium.

Former Baseball Coach Dan Bohannon, for whom the field is named, joined the Uthmeiers on the tour. Bohannon was James’ coach during his time at the school.

Steve Riggs, a Viking alumnus for whom the school’s football stadium is named, helped organize the evening alongside Larry Keefe. Riggs said walking the baseball field with the Uthmeiers showed just how much the facility has grown over the past two decades, pointing to artificial turf in the catcher’s box, an improved pitching mound, upgraded field houses, new concessions and heaters for fans during cold March games.

Riggs said what Billy Uthmeier helped build was just the starting point, and that for the past 20 years people have continued building on it.

The Uthmeiers were honored at the center of the field at halftime.

Uthmeier said being back on campus brought back memories of the people who shaped him.

“It’s really the people that were so influential in my formation, my development,” he said. “The people that taught me hard work, discipline, sacrifice. That the great things in life don’t come easy. You have to work for them, and when you do, it’s all the more fulfilling when you achieve success.”

• He said seeing familiar faces still at the school two decades later made the night especially meaningful. He named distance running Coach Lissette Fields, Coach Bohannon, Coach Joe Markoch and Athletic Director Holly McDaniel and her husband, Brian McDaniel, among those he reconnected with.

“Just seeing people that are still here now, 20 years later, caring about the school, the community, ensuring the kids are being taught with the tools necessary to go on, find success, and then ideally raise families of their own,” Uthmeier said. “It’s very memorable and just an emotional night.”

Principal Lindsey Smith said the ceremony carried special meaning for the school community.

“It is especially meaningful to welcome Attorney General James Uthmeier and his family back to Fort Walton Beach High School as we honor him as a member of the Class of 2006,” Smith said. “His return reminds our students that the foundation built here can lead to extraordinary opportunities for leadership and service.”

Smith said the evening was also an opportunity to recognize the Uthmeier family’s broader impact.

“This occasion also gives us the opportunity to recognize his father, Billy Uthmeier, and thank him for spearheading the development of our baseball facility,” she said. “The Uthmeier family’s lasting connection to our school reflects the tradition of leadership, service, and community that we hope to inspire in every Viking.”

Uthmeier said education has been a top priority throughout his career in state government and praised the direction of Okaloosa County schools.

“In Okaloosa County in particular, the schools are just terrific,” he said. “It’s an honor to come out of this school district and I’m glad to see them continuing to thrive.”

He credited the current leadership at Fort Walton Beach High School.

“I think the principal here at Fort Walton’s doing a great job,” Uthmeier said. “They’ve got great STEM programs, great athletic programs, and students are happy here and they’re getting trained the right way.”

Riggs said Uthmeier is the product of academics and athletics working together. He said high school athletes learn early what it means to get knocked down and get back up, and that those qualities carry well beyond the playing field.

“He embodies what you’re trying to do with high school athletics,” Riggs said. “To be smart, apply yourself in the classroom, apply yourself on the field, and establish relationships that last forever.”

Among those in attendance Friday night were Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers, Assistant Superintendent John Spolski, Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, Fort Walton Beach Councilman David Schmidt, also a Viking alumnus, Steve Riggs, Larry and Dr. Lynn Keefe, Jay Odom and members of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Asked how proud he is to be a Viking, Uthmeier said: “I’m very proud. Go Vikings.”