The University of Akron Athletics
Hall of Fame
Frank A. Zazula
- Induction:
- 1975
- Class:
- 1940
INAUGURAL CLASS
1937-39
Football
Born to Polish immigrants (1916) in New Jersey, Frank Zazula was an All-State quarterback (1935) and a member of Canton McKinley High School's 1934 state championship team.
He starred for the University of Akron from 1937 through 1939, making All-Ohio both at quarterback and at fullback. Zazula had a record 77-yard punt against University of Toledo and a then-record 96-yard kickoff return against Baldwin-Wallace College. Named Little All-America honorable mention, he captioned the 1939 Associated Press second All-Ohio team.
Zazula played at 160 pounds and was compared to "Red" Cochrane among UA power runners of all time.
He went to University of Oregon as a Jimmy Aiken aide in 1947. Then Zazula joined ex-Akron U teammate Dick Miller at North Dakota University in 1948 and was named head football coach, succeeding Miller in 1950. Named North Dakota Football Coach of the Year in 1953, he retired as the school's track and cross country mentor.
Zazula was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
1937-39
Football
Born to Polish immigrants (1916) in New Jersey, Frank Zazula was an All-State quarterback (1935) and a member of Canton McKinley High School's 1934 state championship team.
He starred for the University of Akron from 1937 through 1939, making All-Ohio both at quarterback and at fullback. Zazula had a record 77-yard punt against University of Toledo and a then-record 96-yard kickoff return against Baldwin-Wallace College. Named Little All-America honorable mention, he captioned the 1939 Associated Press second All-Ohio team.
Zazula played at 160 pounds and was compared to "Red" Cochrane among UA power runners of all time.
He went to University of Oregon as a Jimmy Aiken aide in 1947. Then Zazula joined ex-Akron U teammate Dick Miller at North Dakota University in 1948 and was named head football coach, succeeding Miller in 1950. Named North Dakota Football Coach of the Year in 1953, he retired as the school's track and cross country mentor.
Zazula was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
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