Remembering Captain John 'Bag' Hefti, USN | Virginia Beach Legend
The full story of Captain John 'Bag' Hefti, USN—Navy Captain, youth sports coach, community builder, and the inspiration behind Bag's Buddies Foundation.
Remembering Captain John "Bag" Hefti, USN
A Navy Captain, a beloved coach, and the best teammate anyone could ask for.
When John Hefti walked into a room, you felt it. Not because he demanded attention—he never did. You felt it because suddenly, everything seemed lighter. The room got warmer. Whatever stress you'd carried in started to fade.
That was Bag's gift.
He passed away in 2021, but his spirit lives on in the scholarship foundation that bears his name, in the countless athletes he coached, and in the three words that defined his life: Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team.
This is his story.
Why Everyone Called Him "Bag"
The nickname came early and never left. By adulthood, even his closest friends sometimes forgot his given name. He was simply Bag—the kind of name that sounds like a bear hug feels.
Read about where the nickname came from →
What Made Him Different
Everyone who knew Bag has a story. Ask any of them, and they'll pause, smile, and say something like, "Where do I even start?"
It wasn't his Navy career, though he served with distinction. It wasn't his athletic accomplishments, though he was a three-sport athlete who could compete in anything. It was something simpler than that.
He made people feel like they mattered.
The kid who got picked last? Bag picked him first. The player having a rough game? Bag was there with a quiet word of encouragement. The new family in the neighborhood? Bag was the first one at their door, inviting them to the barbecue.
Lessons from Those Who Served with Him
Bag's Navy career took him around the world—from flight decks to command centers, from TOPGUN to leading squadrons in combat. But ask his fellow sailors and officers what they remember, and they don't talk about operations or awards.
They talk about how he made them feel.
"Bag was the kind of leader who made you want to be better. Not because he demanded it, but because he believed in you."
One story gets told again and again: A young officer made a costly mistake during an exercise. Instead of dressing him down, Bag took him aside and said, "Tell me what you learned." No shame. No embarrassment. Just a chance to grow. That officer went on to have a distinguished career of his own—and he still tears up when he talks about that moment.
That was Bag's gift. He saw potential in people before they saw it in themselves.
Stories from the Sidelines
After retiring from the Navy, Bag poured himself into coaching youth sports in Virginia Beach. Basketball. Baseball. Whatever kids needed. But winning games was never the point.
Building people was.
Ask anyone Bag coached, and they'll tell you stories:
The time he organized a team pizza party for the losing squad after a tough game—because character matters more than scores.
The quiet conversations he'd have with kids who were struggling at home, making sure they knew someone cared.
The way he'd celebrate a beginner's first basket with the same enthusiasm as a championship win.
How he'd show up early to every practice and stay late after every game, just in case someone needed to talk.
One parent shared this memory: "My son was the worst player on the team. Most coaches would've benched him. Bag put him in during close games. When I asked why, he said, 'That kid needs to feel like he belongs more than my team needs another win.'"
That was Coach Hefti. He understood that the lessons kids learn from sports—resilience, teamwork, showing up when it's hard—matter far more than any trophy.
The Party Starter
Beyond the Navy and the basketball courts, Bag was the center of his community's social life. If there was a gathering, Bag was either hosting it or making it better just by showing up.
His laugh was famous—loud, genuine, infectious. You could hear Bag before you saw him. And once you heard that laugh, you knew the party had started.
One neighbor remembers: "We'd just moved in, didn't know anyone. Within 24 hours, Bag had invited us to three different events. By the end of the month, we felt like we'd lived there for years."
That was Bag. He didn't just attend parties—he created community.
A Family Man
At the center of Bag's life was his family—his wife Patricia and their children. They weren't just his family; they were his team.
He brought the same principles home that he brought to the Navy and the basketball court: show up for your people, celebrate the small wins, work through problems together, and never stop having fun.
Today, the Hefti family leads Bag's Buddies, carrying forward his legacy through scholarships, grants, and community building. It's the ultimate expression of Same Team—a family working together to help other families.
Learn more about the people behind Bag's Buddies →
The Legacy He Left
When Bag passed away in 2021, his family and friends faced a question: How do you honor a life like that?
The answer came naturally. Bag's Buddies was born—a foundation dedicated to continuing what Bag spent his life doing: supporting young athletes, building community, and making sure everyone feels like they're on the team.
Today, Bag's Buddies:
- Awards scholarships to Virginia Beach student-athletes who embody his values
- Provides youth sports grants to families facing financial barriers
- Hosts Bag's Big Bash, an annual celebration of community and service
- Builds a racing community that runs for a cause
Every scholarship we award carries his spirit. Every grant we give removes barriers he would have quietly covered himself. Every event we host echoes his laughter.
What He Would Want You to Know
If Bag were here, he'd probably be embarrassed by all this attention. He wasn't in it for recognition. He just genuinely loved people and wanted to help.
But since he's not here to redirect the conversation, we can share what he taught us:
Everyone belongs on the team. No exceptions. No qualifications. If you're here, you're part of it.
Effort matters more than talent. Show up. Work hard. The results will follow.
Joy is not optional. Life's too short to take yourself seriously. Laugh more.
Take care of each other. When someone's struggling, show up for them. That's what teammates do.
Leave things better than you found them. Every interaction is a chance to make someone's day better.
Keeping His Spirit Alive
You don't have to be wealthy or powerful to honor Bag's memory. You just have to live by his principles:
- Support a young athlete who needs help staying in the game
- Apply for a scholarship if you're a Virginia Beach senior who embodies these values
- Attend Bag's Big Bash and join the community
- Volunteer your time to help us reach more families
- Simply be a better teammate in your own life
That's what Bag would want. Not memorials—action. Not words—deeds. Not sorrow—joy.
A Final Word
Captain John "Bag" Hefti, USN, lived a life worth celebrating. He served his country with distinction. He raised a beautiful family. He touched countless lives through coaching and community building.
But what made him extraordinary wasn't what he accomplished. It was who he was.
A leader who lifted others. A coach who cared about character. A friend who showed up. A man who understood that we're all on the same team.
He's gone, but his spirit lives on in every scholarship we award, every young athlete we support, and every gathering where laughter fills the room.
In loving memory of Captain John "Bag" Hefti, USN, who passed away October 4, 2021
Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team.