Chuck Zimmerman, a high school football star at Christian Brothers Academy, established several career and season passing records during his time at quarterback with Syracuse University from 1956 through 1958.

 

Zimmerman earned the starting job in 1956 and directed the Orangemen to the Cotton Bowl. But 1958 turned out to be Zimmerman’s best year at SU. He threw a TD pass in a monumental win over Penn State at Beaver Stadium to end a 24-year losing streak to the Nittany Lions.

 

Also in 1958, Zimmerman graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in October of 1958. Led by Zimmerman’s precision passing, SU capped off its season by playing in the Orange Bowl. Zimmerman, the team’s MVP, set the school record for pass completions (60 percent). He finished with 14 career touchdowns and 1,687 yards.  

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

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1951-1953: Christian Brothers Academy: All-City quarterback in football, All-City basketball player, member of the CBA baseball team that won the City Championship 

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1953: Named to the National and Catholic High School All-American football squads; Received Italian-American Athletic Club’s Award as City of Syracuse Most Outstanding Athlete 

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1956: Syracuse University football starting quarterback. Took SU to the Cotton Bowl and was a Lambert Trophy selection 

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1958: SU football team captain. Took SU to the Orange Bowl. Won team Most Valuable Player award. Set the SU pass completion records. All-East and All-American honors; Appeared on the cover of the Oct. 27th issue of Sports Illustrated 

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1958: Graduated from Syracuse University and entered U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant.

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1962: Named assistant football coach at CBA. Spent 22 years volunteer coaching football, baseball and girls basketball 

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1983: Inducted as SU Letter Winner of Distinction 

 

Other achievements: Served on the Board of Directors for Syracuse Boys Club, the Varsity Club of Syracuse University, Loretto Geriatrics Center, St Rose of Lima, Bishop Grimes High School, Lakeshore Yacht & Country Club and was the treasurer for the new Rosamond Gifford Zoo fundraising efforts. 

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Current member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame and St. Joseph's Hospital. Retired from his accounting career as an audit partner with Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

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Chuck and wife Mary Ann have three children and 10 grandchildren.