Assistant Coach Laurie Franklin remembers Tony:
	Like many others, Tony Zirkelbach touched my life in many ways.  My first memory of Tony came my freshman year, which I think was the first year he became involved with the South Oldham Lady Dragon soccer team.  I remember being at practice in the late fall months, and all of us asking who the old guy with the "Russian looking" hat was.  He would come and watch at first, but eventually he was integrated into our team and by season's end, he was our most loyal fan it seemed.  After that, Tony wasn't the old guy with the funny hat, he was the super fan who brought us treats before practice and inspired us all individually.  My junior year, we had once again made it to the state championship game, but Tony became ill, and wasn't able to make it.  I think we all played for him that game, and the only thing on our minds on the bus ride back (besides the joy of winning), was that we wanted to see our super fan.  We decided to take a detour to the hospital and take our state champion trophy to Tony that night.  I remember gathering around his bed and telling him that we won for him, and the joy it brought to his face.  It made that state championship that much better.      Unlike most, I got the opportunity to return to South Oldham to coach with Mr. Tucker and Pete.  I showed up to the first day of practice, and feeling a little nervous, was immediately comforted to see Tony interacting with the girls the same way he did with me and my teammates.  Throughout my two years of coaching with Tony as our super fan and manager, I grew to know him on a totally different level than I had as a player.  On bus trips, he would tell me of his amazing jobs in China, Taiwan, Germany, and many other countries.  No matter what type of problem I was having, Tony always had some inspiring and helpful words for me.  I loved sitting and listening to all of his word of wisdom.  The thing that touched me the most about Tony when I came back to coach at South was all the times he would reminisce about our "glory days" and how much those teams, players, and games meant to him.  He would remember the smallest things that were only faint memories in my mind.  He knew every girl's name, and tried to keep up with what everyone was doing post high school.      I think the thing that made Tony so special to all of us was his unconditional love of our team and program.  He didn't have a daughter, sister, or granddaughter on the team.  He had no obligation to come to our games and treat us all like daughters.  He just loved our team.  He didn't miss a game or practice, unless he was sick, and he was always bringing us candy, fruit, or special treats.  Those are the kinds of things that made our days that much brighter.  At times, I think some of us took his presence for granted, but one thing is for sure, if Tony wasn't there, it was painfully obvious.  It will be painfully obvious this July when we start tryouts and Tony isn't out there sweating it out with the rest of us.  One thing is for sure though; he will be on all of our minds every time we take the field.  Tony was and will always be our biggest fan and he will be missed terribly.      Laurie Franklin