Legendary Local High School, College Coach and a Hall of Fame Member, Greg Zimmerman, Passes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 12, 2024 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
A basketball coach with deep local ties who was considered legendary by the schools he coached at the players he coached passed away.
According to media reports and social media reports, former Alderson Broaddus basketball coach Greg Zimmerman passed away Tuesday,
Sept. 10. Zimmerman coached the men’s program in Philippi to some of its most successful seasons ever back in the now defunct West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Sept. 10. Zimmerman coached the men’s program in Philippi to some of its most successful seasons ever back in the now defunct West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Zimmerman announced his retirement after an 18-year career with the Battlers in 2019. Zimmerman ends his incredible career with a 390-156 all-time record, a .714 career winning percentage. Between 2002 and 2010, the Battlers advanced to the NCAA Tournament nine years in a row.
His accomplishments landed him in the Alderson Broaddus Hall of Fame.
Zimmerman also coached at the high school leverl. He coached at the old Flemington High School for Principal Robert “Timbuck” Shields. He also hired Mike Carey to his first prep coach gig as his assistant.
For 17 years, Zimmerman coached at the high school level. He was a coach in West Virginia and Ohio.
HERE IS THE OBITUARY
Gregory Glen Zimmerman, age 70, a resident of Philippi, WV and Ohio passed away Monday, September 9, 2024, related to a hunting accident in Eastern Kentucky. Greg was born June 30, 1954, in Ohio. He is the son of Kay (Zurcher) Zimmerman and the late Gene Zimmerman. Greg was united in marriage on June 16, 2017, to Tammy (Martin) Zimmerman, surviving at home.
Greg was an avid hunter and also enjoyed fishing, cooking, golfing, watching baseball games, detailing cars, and spending time with his family. Greg was a basketball legend both as a player and a coach. He played basketball at Alderson Broaddus and was one of the top shooters in the conference and state. He also won numerous conference awards in his playing career.
Greg had successful coaching years at all places he coached, including Guernsey Catholic High School, Flemington High School, Indian Valley High School, St. Edwards High School, and then finished his coaching career with 18 years at his alma mater, Alderson Broaddus. His career at ABU included a record of 390-156, with 11 conference tournament championships, and 9 consecutive berths in the NCAA tournament. He was named Coach of the Year numerous times in the conference and named once as the winningest DII coach in the nation. After his retirement, Greg was inducted into the AB Hall of Fame in 2020.
He was not only a great coach but a true leader. His greatest success in life was his positive influence he had on all of his young athletes and players. Coach Zimmerman’s legacy will always live on.
Surviving is his wife Tammy (Martin) Zimmerman, mother Kay (Zurcher) Zimmerman, children Kacie (James) Scozzafavia, Kristin (Tom) Lewis, and former wife Heidi Zimmerman. Stepchildren Bryant (Sarah) Martin, Ryan Martin, and Corey Martin. Grandchildren Annabelle, Tristan, Cooper, and Thomas Lewis, Joey, Vincenzo, and Marco Scozzafavia, step grandchildren Eli and Easton Martin, and brothers Terry (Cherie) Zimmerman and Jay Zimmerman.
Greg was proceeded in death by his father Gene Zimmerman, sister Jennifer Zimmerman, and granddaughter Gabriella Scozzafavia.
Friends and Family will be received at Alderson Broaddus Coliseum on Saturday, September 14 from 3-8 p.m. and Sunday, September 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. in the Coliseum. Proceeding the funeral service, there will be a Celebration of Life.
There will also be a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, September 19 at 11 a.m. at The St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dover, Ohio. Burial will be at the Ragersville, Ohio Cemetery. Following the burial will be a Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the account named “The Greg Zimmerman Memorial Fund” opened at Freedom Bank, Philippi, WV.
