Leo Sumner was born in 1924 in Moundville, Alabama. Sumner later graduated from Hale County High School in 1943. That same year, he joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1946.

After receiving his first degree from the University of Alabama in 1951, a bachelors in mathematics, Sumner became a math teacher and the head football and basketball coach for Gorgas High School from 1953 to 1955. His two teams at Gorgas finished with a 6-12-1 record.

In 1955, Sumner returned to Hale County High School, where he served as principal and head football and basketball coach until 1967. He earned his second degree from Alabama in 1956, a Masters in School Administration.

His football teams posted a 65-41-3 record at Hale County during his eleven years as the head coach.

Five of his 11 basketball teams reached the state tournament, one finishing runner-up. his baseball teams enjoyed 10 winning seasons. He coached in the all-star basketball game in 1965. He had a two-year coaching stint at Gorgas High School in Tuscaloosa County as the basketball coach.

In 1973, he became dean of instruction at Shelton State Community College. He held that position until 1979, when he became the colleges first president. During his 17 years at Shelton he expanded the school, making it the third largest community college in the state and added many programs to the school, including a nursing program.

������Coach Leo Sumner died April 17, 2006. He was 81.