Jack Zindel; Class of 1965
Jack Zindel began his sports career in junior high. His determination and tenacity propelled him to top performance. He was encouraged by his family and coaches to be the best athlete possible beginning at East Lansing High School. In 1965, he was a starting lineman on the state championship football team and was selected as the all city guard.
Jack took 2nd in High School State Wrestling Championship in an event billed as the “event of year” in the newspaper, State Journal. He was the 1965 State Champion in Freestyle Wrestling.
Jack’s successes in high school sent him to Michigan State University where he continued to play football and wrestle. He gained weight to play football and then cut weight to wrestle.
He had the honor of being part of the 1966 National Champions in the football game called “Game of the Century”. It was a 10-10 tie with Notre Dame. . He was an All American wrestler in 1967, 1969 and 1970 and a Big Ten Campion in 1969 and 1970. During 1969-1970, he started as a defensive lineman for Michigan State University. He was injured during the 1968 season.
While in college, Jack won numerous awards such as the Gorrorain award and the Collins Mikles Coaches award for leadership. Jack holds the record for most victories at 191 pounds for prestigious Midlands’ tournament. He continued wrestling after college and won another National Championship in the senior division at age 50.
Jack has shared his passion for and knowledge of wrestling for more than 40 years as a coach and referee. He referees at the local, regional and national levels of wrestling.
Jack is a known as a tough coach that sets high expectations, but under the rough exterior is a gentle man that has heart for kids and animals.
Jack’s competitive nature and love of horses lead him to the polo fields for 25 years. He played on the US Professional polo team. His team took 2nd in National Presidents Cup in 1993. Jack does not play polo any longer but he continues to spend time on horseback riding the mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma with friends. Instead of a slick English saddle, he now settles into a soft gel seated saddle for daylong rides.
Jack is proud of his accomplishments but says there is no greater reward than seeing his four children grow up and give him four of the best grandchildren ever.
Jack lives in Carrollton, Texas and enjoys babysitting the grandkids.
ELHS Hall of Fame 2012 - Jack Zindell video highlight on YouTube
Jack took 2nd in High School State Wrestling Championship in an event billed as the “event of year” in the newspaper, State Journal. He was the 1965 State Champion in Freestyle Wrestling.
Jack’s successes in high school sent him to Michigan State University where he continued to play football and wrestle. He gained weight to play football and then cut weight to wrestle.
He had the honor of being part of the 1966 National Champions in the football game called “Game of the Century”. It was a 10-10 tie with Notre Dame. . He was an All American wrestler in 1967, 1969 and 1970 and a Big Ten Campion in 1969 and 1970. During 1969-1970, he started as a defensive lineman for Michigan State University. He was injured during the 1968 season.
While in college, Jack won numerous awards such as the Gorrorain award and the Collins Mikles Coaches award for leadership. Jack holds the record for most victories at 191 pounds for prestigious Midlands’ tournament. He continued wrestling after college and won another National Championship in the senior division at age 50.
Jack has shared his passion for and knowledge of wrestling for more than 40 years as a coach and referee. He referees at the local, regional and national levels of wrestling.
Jack is a known as a tough coach that sets high expectations, but under the rough exterior is a gentle man that has heart for kids and animals.
Jack’s competitive nature and love of horses lead him to the polo fields for 25 years. He played on the US Professional polo team. His team took 2nd in National Presidents Cup in 1993. Jack does not play polo any longer but he continues to spend time on horseback riding the mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma with friends. Instead of a slick English saddle, he now settles into a soft gel seated saddle for daylong rides.
Jack is proud of his accomplishments but says there is no greater reward than seeing his four children grow up and give him four of the best grandchildren ever.
Jack lives in Carrollton, Texas and enjoys babysitting the grandkids.
ELHS Hall of Fame 2012 - Jack Zindell video highlight on YouTube