Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
The youngest of seven children. the late. Edward W. Zipfel was born and raised in Oak Harbor where he was a standout in four sports at Oak Harbor High School where he graduated in the midst of the Great Depression in the late twenties.
Following graduation he would soon take his place as one of the great athletes of all time for the Cardinals of Heidelberg College during a time when Heidelberg dominated the game of football and was one of just three unbeaten, untied teams in the nation.
A starter for three seasons, Zipfel served as a co-captain of Heidelberg and was noted as a "bone crusher who was hard to stop." From his fullback spot he was a terror to the opposition. Time and time again he would use his brute force to plunge through seemingly solid lines for extra yardage.
"Zip" had one particular game at Cleveland Lakefront Stadium in November of 1932 when he scored the only touchdown against a powerful John Carroll team. The Cleveland Plain Dealer later lauded his play for Heidelberg in the field of punting. blocking, tackling, and ball carryings as saving many a game for Heidelberg.
Another key game for Zipfel came against Toledo University in a 13-0 romp for the Cardinals that was set up by a big kickoff return by "Zip." And in a 1932 battle with Mount Union. he ran wild when he scored three times in a 21-0 romp. That season Heidelberg outscored the opposition 70-6 with shutouts in the final six games.
An engineer major. Zipfel served as a plant manager at Standard Products in Port Clinton. In 1952 he was appointed plant engineer at the giant American Synthetic Rubber Complex at Louisville. KY. On April 16. 1988 this standout athlete died of complications from his second knee replacement surgery, He is survived by his daughter, Diane Lee and son William. Also his wife Elizabeth and three step-children. His first wife and mother of his two children passed away in the mid-seventies.
Throughout his life he spoke fondly of Heidelberg and his days on the playing field for the Cardinals. He never forgot his alma mater and his alma mater will never forget him.
(This profile appeared in the 1994 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)
