Andrew Spaan ’25, staff writer

John Zola was an LVC student from 1959-1961. He was a pre-med student and was very determined to become a doctor after college. An avid dancer and singer, Zola he sang in local pubs and played the saxophone in the jazz band. Zola also was a running back on the LVC football team. 

“John could always be found studying in either the library or in his room,” John Yajko ’63, friend and roommate of Zola, said. “He was a great team player and always on the upside and gave his all while playing or studying. Great roommate and great personal morals.”  

During a game at Drexel in 1961, tragedy struck. Zola was tackled on a play and while he was getting up, he collapsed to the ground. Timeout was called and Zola was subbed out of the game.  

“John was taken out, walked out under his own power, and sat on the bench where he said to coach, ‘I’m all right coach,’” Bob Stull ’62, teammate of Zola, said. “The coach didn’t put him back in the game. He took him to the locker room where John passed out into a coma and never came out.”  

Zola was rushed to a hospital for surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful. Zola would pass away at 20 years old on Monday, Oct. 2, 1961. 

Everyone on the team dedicated the rest of the season to Zola’s memory. The team embodied his fighting spirit and went on to win every game but one, resulting in a 1961 Mid Atlantic Conference–Southern Division Championship.  

After his death, Zola would be enshrined in LVC history in many ways. First, the athletics department retired his number, #11. His jersey would become the third retired jersey in LVC football history behind Lou Sorrentino (1950-1953) and Hank DiJohnson (1946-1949). Today, his jersey hangs in LVC’s Sports Hall of Fame.  

The John F. Zola memorial statue was dedicated on October 9, 2004. Along with the statue, there is an annual award given out to a football player who displays the traits of heart, courage and integrity when playing. This award is known as the Zola Memorial Award.  

“Several years ago, John’s teammates and friends raised funds for the Zola Memorial, with the hope that John’s heart, courage and determination would touch today’s student athletes and maybe by touching John’s memorial, he may be touching you.” Stull said.  

The statue stands as a reminder for all LVC athletes to play with courage and integrity.