University of Kentucky football player Jeff Zurcher has been placed on full scholarship, beginning with the 1998 spring semester, Coach Hal Mumme has announced.
“Jeff is going to be a senior (in eligibility) and has earned everything we can give him,” Mumme said.
“He’s a great representative of our school, on and off the field. I’m glad we’re able to do this for him.”
Zurcher, a strong safety from Berne, Ind., played in all 11 games during the 1997 season, most notably as a special teams stalwart. He made 12 tackles, knocked loose a fumble (recovered by the Wildcats) on a South Carolina punt return, blocked a field goal at Georgia, and caught a 20-yard pass on a fake punt against Louisiana State. He earned his second varsity letter.
Zurcher also is a star in the classroom. He is scheduled to graduate in May, 1998, with a double major in English and advertising and carries a perfect 4.0 grade point average. He was one of two UK nominees for a Rhodes Scholarship, one of the world’s most prestigious academic honors. He is a two-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Zurcher will begin graduate study during the fall of 1998, his final season of football eligibility.
Zurcher came to UK from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., where he played basketball during the 1994-95 season. Zurcher was the “sixth man” for the Bethel squad that won the NAIA Division II national championship with a 38-2 record. He transferred to UK in the fall of 1995 and joined the football team as a walk-on. Zurcher played in 10 games during the ’96 season, made one tackle, and won his first varsity letter.
“I’m excited about it,” Zurcher said. “The scholarship makes it possible for me to go to grad school next year and I appreciate Coach Mumme giving one to me. Just being part of the team makes all the hard work worthwhile, but now it has paid off even more.”
Mumme is a strong believer in the value of walk-on (non-scholarship) players and has rewarded six Wildcats with full scholarships during his year as UK head coach. Zurcher joins punter Jimmy Carter, kicker Brian Johnson, defensive end Robert Jones, wide receiver Tyler Siddens, and running back A. J. Simon as walk-on players who have been awarded scholarships by Mumme.
