6/12/2009
Pennsburg, Pa.----Wingate University head men’s lacrosse coach Sonny Ziegler will be inducted into the Perkiomen School’s Hall of Athletic Honor Friday night, June 12, 2009. The Welcome Celebration and Awards Ceremony kicks off the school’s Alumni Weekend and Ziegler’s 25th high school reunion. Former Perkiomen lacrosse coach (and fellow HAH member) Reid Watson will present Ziegler during Friday’s ceremony.
During his two years at Perkiomen, Ziegler lettered in football, wrestling and lacrosse. At the 1983 Takedown Wrestling tournament, he took second place in his weight class. Ziegler was also a member of the 1984 Perkiomen lacrosse team that won the Northeast Division Conference title.
“I am so proud to receive this honor,” Ziegler says. “Perkiomen holds a special place in my heart. The person I am today is greatly influenced by the two years I spent at Perkiomen.”
“Sonny Ziegler’s passion, loyalty, team spirit and work ethic are still remembered (at our school),” Perkiomen Director of Alumni Affairs Diana Weir-Smith says. “Perkiomen’s Hall of Athletic Honor is inducting Ziegler based on his post-Perk experience as a nationally-recognized lacrosse coach.”
Ziegler completed his sixth season as head lacrosse coach at Wingate in 2009. Ziegler is only the second head coach in the history of lacrosse at Wingate. Ziegler replaced John Dodd, who started the program in 1997.
Wingate has won 40 games during the last four seasons. The Bulldogs won or shared the Deep South Conference regular season title in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Wingate won its first-ever DSC tournament title in 2007. The Bulldogs were 11-3 overall in 2008.
During his six-year tenure, Ziegler has compiled an overall record of 47-38. He has coached 24 All-DSC selections and 14 All-DSC tournament honorees (with one tourney MVP). In addition, Ziegler has mentored four United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans.
In recognition of his many achievements, the USILA selected Ziegler to serve as the head coach for the South squad in the 67th annual North-South All-Star game for NCAA Division I and Division II senior student-athletes. The prestigious contest was held May 23, 2008 at Harvard Stadium in Boston.
The Bulldogs have achieved success in the academic arena as well. Wingate senior defense Evan Schaller was named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® men’s at-large second team (college division), selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Schaller is the first Wingate lacrosse student-athlete to earn ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® men’s at-large laurels. Schaller and 2008 graduate Michael Watson received USILA Scholar All-America honors following their final seasons in the blue-and-gold.
Prior to his promotion to head coach, Ziegler served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs in 2003. Before his arrival at Wingate, Ziegler spent one year as an assistant coach at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. While at St. Andrews, he served as the team’s offensive coordinator and helped lead the Knights to the first NCAA Division II tournament appearance in school history.
Ziegler also brings NCAA Division I experience to the Bulldog program, as he served as assistant coach under Dick Edell at the University of Maryland during the 2001 season. While with Maryland, he was responsible for coaching the Terrapin goalies. Under his tutelage, senior goalie Pat McGinnis garnered first team All-America honors. During his one-year stint with the Terps, Maryland finished the regular season ranked third in the nation and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
Ziegler also spent 10 years coaching on the high school level in his native Maryland as both an assistant and head coach. He coached at Mt. St. Joseph’s High School, Glenelg High School, Mt. Hebron High School and Calvert Hall College High School. Ziegler helped guide Mt. Hebron to the title game of the 1995 3A-4A Maryland state tournament. He led the Vikings to another state final appearance as head coach in 1996.
Ziegler played his collegiate lacrosse at NCAA Division III powerhouse Salisbury University, the eight-time NCAA champions. Ziegler and his wife, Chris, live in Wingate. June 12 is a big day for the Zieglers. In addition to the Perkiomen Hall of Athletic Honor induction, the couple will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary Friday night.
Ziegler (Perkiomen class of 1984) is one of four inductees who will be honored Friday night. Paul Capozello (’57), Richard Lisella (’59) and William Bryant (’89) will join Ziegler in the Perkiomen School’s Hall of Athletic Honor this week.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,129 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, international study, faith development, career discovery and community service.
Wingate offers 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physical education, physician assistant studies, sport administration and the doctor of pharmacy degree.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 32 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 41 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
(Special thanks to Perkiomen School Director of Alumni Affairs Diana Weir-Smith for providing background information for this article. Weir-Smith graduated from the Perkiomen School in 1985.)