Malone University Athletics

-Ken Zupanic is being inducted into the Malone University Athletics Hall of Fame as a very prestigious legacy award recipient. Zupanic was a key member of the Malone University baseball team for a successful stretch under legendary head coach Bob Starcher and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
 
The Pioneers were 63-30 in his tenure and he helped lead Malone to their lone NAIA World Series appearance in program history in 1973. Zupanic graduated as a two-time Mid-Ohio Conference Champion, a two-time NAIA District 22 Champion and an Area Six Champion in 1973. When Zupanic was on the bump, he was a force with eight shutouts in his career, a record that lasts to this day, and the fourth-best ERA in school history at 2.47.
 
Zupanic was recruited to The Ohio State University to play football under Woody Hayes prior to his arrival at Malone. He was drafted to serve in the United States army in 1968 and was awarded a Purple Heart after he served admirably in Vietnam. Upon graduation, Zupanic stayed on with Coach Starcher as an assistant during the 1976 and 77 seasons.
 
Zupanic was an elite pitcher for the Class-A Downtown Motors and Tim’s Tavern teams where he competed alongside other Malone greats such as Dan Walker and Bob Voytecek. His accomplishments from 1972-76 are recognized by an induction to the Greater Canton Amateur Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Alliance High School Hall of Fame after a very successful playing and coaching career in girl’s volleyball. As a Marlington softball coach, he helped win a state championship in 1996. Ken and his wife Robin live in Alliance, Ohio.