JR Zemke of Oshkosh Lourdes High School has been named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, a program presented by the Wisconsin National Guard, the organization announced Wednesday.
Zemke's Knights improved to 6-1 last Friday after defeating Pardeeville in a 20-14 overtime victory. Friday's win over the Bulldogs snapped their 44 conference game winning streak and placed the Knights on top of the Trailways – Large Conference.
"This was a big victory for our team," Zemke said. "We have great bunch of seniors whose leadership has lifted the rest of the team to play at their level."
A Oshkosh, Wis., native, Zemke is a 1996 graduate of Oshkosh Lourdes High School where he played fullback and linebacker under coach Don Tolkacz. After high school, he attended the University of Minnesota where he played linebacker and long snapper for head coach Glen Mason. Upon graduating in 2001, Zemke began his coaching career at Hopkins High School before returning to his alma mater in 2006 as an assistant and promoted to head coach in 2008. Zemke is also the physical education teacher at the high school.
Zemke and his staff oversee a program of 38 players. His assistant coaching staff includes Pete Hollmaier, Jeff Liddle, Ryan Mussack, Evan Pistohl, Jim Ruddy, Ron Wiles, Don Zemke, and Val Zemke.
Zemke and his wife, Tori, have two children, Carly and Tray.
The Packers and the Wisconsin National Guard will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2011 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $2,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin National Guard, and the NFL, as well as recognition of the award on packers.com.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Tim Schroeder, youth football coordinator, at **coachoftheweek@packers.com* (e-mail) or by fax at (920) 569-7302. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number, and reason he/she is deserving of the award.*
