Some former athletes, coaches and athletic administrators can nail down their most memoreable game or moment to one single hit or shot or goal. For others it’s a big win in a rivalry game or championship. Northwestern Lehigh Athletic Director Jason Zimmerman simply has too many great memories rolling around in his head to narrow the field down to just one favorite.

Throughout his time in local sports, Zimmerman has witnessed a lot and has been involved with many great games, teams and events.

“There are so many great memories to choose from,” said Zimmerman. “I have a lot that are memorable and not necessarily any that are the top one.”

The stories range from individual state champions in wrestling, cross country and swimming to individual milestones such as scoring 1,000 points in basketball.

During Zimmerman’s time as athletic director, Northwestern has had student-athletes collect state gold in cross country (Lindsay Kerr, 2009) and swimming (Madison Burns, 2011). He has seen four wrestlers crowned state champions (Scott Clymer - 2006, Ben Clymer - 2008, Evan Yenolevich – 2009 and Caleb Clymer – 2018).

Eight basketball players have reached 1,000 points since Zimmerman became the athletic director. Girls players Caitlin Miller and Dana Stellar (2006), Ali Horn (2007), Sara Jones (2013) and Erika Thomas (2016), plus boys players Steve Showers (2001), Ryan Oxley (2005) and Sam Yadush (2019). Individual achievements have also led to Zimmerman being honored to host Division 1 signing ceremonies for a number of Northwestern’s student-athletes.

“We’ve had some great individual players and achievements over the years and it’s always great to see the reactions from these kids who do so well individually while representing Northwestern,” said Zimmerman, who also has memories of individuals that came up big in important spots for their respective team. “I remember Ali Horn hitting a buzzer-beater at Martz Hall in the District 11 girls basketball championship game that sent us to overtime and eventually to a district championship.”

In football, Zimmerman remembers the Tigers knocking off top-seeded Bethlehem Catholic in Bethlehem to earn a spot in the district championship game against Pottsville in 2011. If that was memorable, so was the game three years later when Northwestern beat North Schuylkill for the District 11 championship in football.

In June of 2007, coach Jen Horner led the Northwestern Lehigh softball team to the state semifinals against Brandywine when they won a 22-inning game at Patriots Park in Allentown. Under Zimmerman, Northwestern also has watched the Tiger boys soccer teams play for state championships in 2016 and 2017.

Zimmerman also pointed to a milestone in upgrading Northwestern’s facilities that led right into a big fall sports season for the school.

“The opening of the new stadium with its new turf this past August was really special,” said Zimmerman. “That led to the entire fall 2019 season, which was historic with field hockey and boys and girls soccer winning district titles after playing their season on that turf and football was also competing for a district title. That fall, we also had cross country win districts in both the boys and girls competition.”

Zimmerman has always stressed sportsmanship as part of the school’s athletic program and the school has been honored with numerous sportsmanship awards in both football and wrestling.