Lansing Sun

Jack Zindel, a former dual-sport national champion at Michigan State University, passed away last weekend at the age of 77. Zindel was part of the MSU football teams that won national championships in 1965 and 1966 and also excelled in wrestling, where he became a three-time All-American in 1967, 1969, and 1970.

Zindel achieved notable success on the wrestling mat under head coach Grady Peninger. He claimed two individual Big Ten titles in 1969 and 1970 and contributed to team championships throughout his four seasons with the Spartans. Coach Peninger once remarked about Zindel's competitive spirit: "It didn't matter if it was a wrestling match or a fight, Jack was the first one there and ready to go," adding that "He was Mr. Guts."

After graduating from Michigan State in 1970, Zindel continued his wrestling career by winning a USA Senior Freestyle championship in 1971.

In football, Zindel started as a walk-on freshman on the national championship team of 1965 before earning a scholarship. He played special teams during the famous "Game of the Century" against Notre Dame in 1966 and recorded significant tackles after recovering from an injury that sidelined him for parts of his college career.

The legacy of sports excellence ran deep within Zindel's family; he followed his father Howard Zindel’s footsteps at MSU along with his brothers Barry, Bruce, Jeff, and Greg—all Spartan letterwinners.

Reflecting on his recruitment experience with legendary coach Duffy Daugherty, Zindel recalled: "One day, he called and said when I came over, he wanted to see me... That was my recruiting experience."

Zindel has been inducted twice into the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame for both his achievements at MSU and as an offensive guard for East Lansing High School's state championship team.

A celebration of life is scheduled for January 25, 2025, at Rockpointe Church in Flower Mound, Texas.