UNIVERSITY CENTER -- Saginaw Valley State University Athletics mourns the passing of Softball Assistant Coach Tony Zimmerman, 50, who passed away from an apparent heart attack in the late evening hours Sunday, December 29.
Zimmerman began coaching with the Cardinals during the 2017-18 academic year and helped guide SVSU to seasons with 29 victories and 28 victories, respectively, in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. Included in those seasons was an appearance in the 2018 NCAA Midwest Region #2 Tournament for the Cardinals.
Prior to coaching at Saginaw Valley, Tony racked-up 20-plus years of coaching experience, which included coaching for Millington High School, Charlevoix High School, the Millington Cardinals, Petoskey Predators and Petoskey Blaze.
SVSU Head Softball Coach Todd Buckingham spoke to the impact that Coach Zimmerman had on the program and all of the members of the SVSU Softball Family...
"The pain we all feel with the loss of a loved one is hard to endure and often impossible to put into words. Tony Zimmerman was not just a coach: he was a father, a husband, a brother, a friend, an inspiration. The lives he influenced on a daily basis will forever have something missing...a part of them...a part he filled everyday with his love and positivity. He was a selfless man...someone that always put others first, and cared deeply about everyone is his life. Tony was placed on this Earth to make an impact...to make a change in the lives he touched. He has forever changed the culture of SVSU softball, and we will honor his life and efforts everyday on the field. It will be difficult, but we will persevere with love and positivity...the traits that Tony instilled in us all. Whatever level of success we accomplish this year, we will do so to honor the name of Tony Zimmerman."
Visitation services for Coach Zimmerman will be held at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington, Michigan on Thursday (Jan. 2) from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The funeral service and luncheon will take place on Friday (Jan. 3) at the Millington United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m.
Click here for Tony Zimmerman's full Obituary
Hanlin Funeral Home
4823 W. Main St.
Millington, MI 48746
Millington United Methodist Church
9020 State Rd.
Millington, MI 48746