The John Zanatta Alumni Games will be held this Saturday, October 1st with a variety of fantastic events for Lakehead alumni, students, present athletes and staff, as well as Lakehead varsity sports fans. This year, along with the popular Zanatta Games in the Thunderdome, there will also be a special rededication ceremony for the Lakehead Wall of Fame and its new location in the new Hangar athletic facility as well as a ceremony to mark this years inductees to the Wall of Fame. This years Zanatta Games are made even more special as they are part of the overall Lakehead University 40th Anniversary weekend.
The Zanatta Alumni Games are named in memory of ex Lakehead basketball player and mens basketball Head Coach, John Zanatta. After Johns death, Lakehead Athletics held the annual John Zanatta Memorial Games and last year decided to combine the Zanatta Games with a new Alumni event to create an overall annual Lakehead homecoming event.
John Zanatta was tragically killed in an automobile accident on August 12, 1990 at the age of 33. Zanatta was on his way back to Thunder Bay to teach and coach at the Lakehead Summer Basketball Camps when his accident occurred. John had left Thunder Bay to pursue a teaching career in London. He was an outstanding basketball player and coach at Lakehead University and, more importantly, he was a member of the Lakehead Athletics Family. John played five seasons for Lakehead and he is fifth on Lakeheads All Time scoring list; collecting 1895 points from 1976 to 1981. He coached Lakeheads mens team from 1982-83 to 84-85.
Upon his death, the Zanatta Scholarship Fund was established. The scholarship is awarded to a student who combines leadership, athletic talent, and academic excellence. Johns widow, Mirella Zanatta, will be at the Thunderdome on Saturday to present the scholarships to this years winners; Tara Boyce of womens basketball and Matthew Verboom of mens basketball.
The Games begin Saturday with the unveiling of the new Wall of Fame at 11:15 am followed by the 2005 Inductees Ceremony. A luncheon will follow and then the Zanatta Games begin in the Thunderdome at 1:00 pm with womens varsity basketball challenging the Lakehead Alumni Stars. Next is the ever popular Presidents Selects vs. the Media All-Stars basketball grudge match; a game where local media celebrities have been known to play pretty rough against Lakehead President Dr. Fred Gilbert and his handpicked team made up of Lakehead coaches and staff. Following that is the varsity mens basketball team vs. the Alumni Stars and the last match is varsity womens volleyball vs. the Alumni Stars.
There is also a social at Armanis night club beginning at 6:30 pm. For those wanting top CIS varsity sports action; the Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team host the St. Marys Huskies in the second game of their highly anticipated non-conference series at the Fort William Gardens beginning at 7:30.
Lakehead Athletic Director Tom Warden said the games are a special tribute to John Zanatta, and this year should be the best ever with the large number of alumni in town for Lakeheads 40th Anniversary celebrations. These games are a fitting tribute to a man who made great contributions to Lakehead. They are also a great way for Lakehead athletes past and present to get together for a fantastic weekend of events.
John Zanatta Alumni Games Schedule
Hangar Athletics Facility:
10:45 am - 11:15 am Symposium
11:15 am - Unveiling of the New Wall of Fame
11:30 am - Induction Ceremony - MC Larry Hebert (Mens Basketball Alumnus)
11:50 am - Closing Remarks
12:00 pm - Luncheon
The Thunderdome (C J Sanders Fieldhouse):
1:00 pm - Zanatta Games Begin - Women's Basketball vs. Alumni Stars
2:30 pm - President's Selects vs. Media All Stars Game
3:00 p