WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Before the season even started, the Lycoming College athletic program was dealt a tough loss on Saturday, Aug. 28, when longtime public address announcer Dick Zimmerman passed away at age 73. Zimmerman had served as the Warriors’ PA announcer for the past 37 years, joining legendary coach Frank Girardi in his first year on the corner of Packer and Mulberry streets.
“It’s a huge loss to the Lycoming College community,” Director of Athletics Scott Kennell said. “We are all deeply saddened by this loss. Dick has been the voice of Lycoming for nearly 40 years. He always kept it simple, which I think was part of his charm.”
Having known Girardi as both taught at Williamsport Area High School, it was a natural move for Zimmerman, who was already doing public address work for the Millionaires, to make the move to then-College Field in 1972 when Girardi took over as the head coach.
“Obviously, he did a great job for us,” Girardi said. “He graduated from Lycoming and he had our program at heart. He was a local guy and he had such an interest in the players. All the kids knew who he was. He was the consummate professional as an announcer.”
In the course of the next 37 years, Zimmerman was at the mic for many of the football program’s greatest moments. He was at the mic when the Warriors beat Upsala, 12-10, on Oct. 28, 1978, to win their first Middle Atlantic Conference title and saw the Warriors win 15 more league titles. He was also at the mic during Lycoming’s 28-20 upset of Rowan in the national semifinals in 1997 and he was the voice of the Warriors during two runs to the national championship game and 10 NCAA Tournament wins at David Person Field.
“Dick was a great guy,” football assistant head coach Steve Wiser said. “He was a strong supporter of Lycoming athletics. I knew him from teaching at Williamsport, and I will truly miss him as a friend.”
Zimmerman recently said that he had thought about retiring when Girardi stepped down as head coach in 2007, but head coach Mike Clark, who had played for four years at Lycoming and also served as an assistant coach for two more years, convinced him to stay.
“Dick Zimmerman was another reason why Lycoming football is special and unique,” Clark said. “Our entire program is saddened by his passing. He had a great voice. I got to hear it at three different levels, as a player (from 1989-92), as an assistant coach (from 1998-99) and as a head coach (beginning in 2007) and it gave me a chance to see just how good he was.”
Zimmerman also took on new responsibilities within the athletic department, taking on the role of public address announcer at Lycoming basketball games since the mid ‘90s. He was the voice for the Lady Warriors during its run to the Division III Tournament in 1997 and he called the men’s team on to two league titles.
“One thing I remember about Dick is that when we used to play in the Freedom Conference, the University of Scranton coach, Mike Strong, would always comment on him,” women’s basketball coach Christen Ditzler said. “He was someone everybody knew, not just our own teams, players and fans. He made quite an impression on everyone else, opposing players and coaches as well. His voice, his way and his presence, he never went unnoticed.”
“In my two years that I knew Dick, I believe he was more than just a good announcer, but a good man,” men’s basketball coach Guy Rancourt said. “It’s a sad day in Lycoming athletics, and as the voice of our home basketball contests, he will be greatly missed.”
Zimmerman was born on Sept. 8, 1936, in Sunbury, the son of Arthur E. and Mildred E. Long Zimmerman. After attending Sunbury High School, he moved to Williamsport and graduated from Williamsport Area in 1954. He attended Lycoming, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 1958.
He earned a master’s degree in counseling from Bucknell University and went to work as a guidance counselor at Williamsport Area High School, retiring in that capacity in 1993. He also served in the Air National Guard.
Dick is survived by his son, Rick Zimmerman, and his long-time companion, Sally LaRue, and her children, Joe LaRue of Conway, N.H., and Kristia Griggs of Minot, N.D.
Funeral services are private and will be at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in the Montoursville Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Lycoming County SPCA, 2801 Reach Rd., Williamsport, PA 17701 or to a charity of one’s choice.