Alum Chris Zarkoskie ’12 (psychology) was honored recently with the 2013 Scotty Whitelaw Sportsmanship Award from the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The award recognizes student athletes for virtues such as fairness, integrity, selflessness, respect, and a sense of fellowship with opponents.
“Zark, as he is known here at UNH, is probably the best leader and captain that I have ever had here in my coaching career,” says UNH head football coach Sean McDonnell. “This young man is simply outstanding, and he did it well in all three areas. First, he was an outstanding student, second he was a very good player, and third he was one of the most respected young men on our campus.”
In his senior year, Zarkoskie, an offensive lineman, was a team co-captain. He was a three-year starter for the Wildcats at center and guard. He was named to the Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team and Capital One Academic Division I Football District I First Team each of his last two seasons. He received the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Commissioner’s Academic Award four years in a row and received the inaugural CAA Football Chuck Boone Leadership Award in 2012, presented to the league player who embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship in academics and athletics. Zarkoskie was also named to the 2013 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society and was inducted into Chi Sigma Alpha, the National College Athlete Honor Society.
“He was the ultimate teammate for all on our team,” says McDonnell. “He demanded respect by his work ethic and actions, and he received it because of his honesty and integrity. He has always made the right decisions, he cares, and he gives back without asking for anything in return. He is a true leader–one that I am very proud to have had here at UNH.”
