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Cougar Hall of Famer Zweidinger Passes
Away
Kean University mourns the loss of Willard E. Zweidinger, a former coach, administrator,
professor and associate dean at Kean University,
who died on February 4 at the age of 97.
Zweidinger began at Newark Normal
School in 1935 as a part-time instructor,
serving the institution through four name changes, four team nicknames
and two different locations. By the time he retired in 1976, the Kean's
outdoor multisport field bore his name, a
tribute to his many contributions to the Department of Athletics and
development of facilities on both the Newark
and Union campuses.
Over the course of his career, Zweidinger
held a number of responsibilities, including professor of Physical
Education, chair of the Department of Physical Education, director of
Athletics, coach and associate dean. He was instrumental in developing
the basketball program, which he coached from 1937 through 1941, and
the formation of the baseball team. He was also responsible for
developing women's athletic competition at the school, founding many of
their programs, such as women's basketball, gymnastics and tennis.
If one singular act defined Zweidinger's
selflessness, it was his request that the Zweidinger
Field be renamed following its renovation in 1998. Feeling that the
structure stood not for one man but for all Kean students, past and
present, he asked that the new facility be christened Kean Alumni
Stadium.
Zweidinger retired in 1976 as a full
professor and associate dean at Kean. He was a charter member of the
Kean Athletic Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1981.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Heath Village,
430 Schooley's Mountain Road (Old Rt. 24) in
Hackettstown on Saturday, February 17 at 2 p.m.
Zweidinger is survived by his wife, Agnes;
his son, Roy; four grandchildren, Christopher, David, Eric and Leif;
and a great-granddaughter, Emma. He was predeceased by a son, Todd.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Kean
University Alumni Scholarship Fund.
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