If you’ve ever been under Friday night lights, sat behind home plate, or even just walked through the halls, chances are you’ve heard his name. Senior Jack Ziarko has left an imprint on Hoover High School through every touchdown, home run, and club involvement. 

Ziarko is involved in football, baseball, track, Link Crew, National Honor Society, and Student Council. He is also the Class of 2026 Senior Class President. Of these, some accomplishments have stood out most to him. 

“School wise, I am most proud of being a part of the National Honors Society and being class president,” he said. “Sports wise, I am most proud of the accomplishments we make as a team. My sophomore year of baseball, we won the Federal League Championship and made it really far into the playoffs. I was really proud of the accomplishments we made as a team that year.” 

Ziarko credits those around him for helping him become the person he is today.

 “I wouldn’t be where I am without the support that I have,” he said. “I have a great family and they all support me so much, I love them so much. My coaches and teachers always do what’s best for me and I can’t thank them enough. So if I didn’t have these amazing people surrounding me, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today.”

 Although Ziarko has had his own personal team of cheerleaders his entire life, there is one coach who has had a lasting impact on him: Coach Sam Rutledge, an offensive line coach for Varsity Head Coach Brian Baum.

“Coach Rutledge has played a major role in my life the past couple years,” he said. “He is a great coach, teacher, and person. He is really easy to talk to and he is great at hyping you up. Sometimes he can be a little cringe as some might say, we all mess around with him but it’s all fun and games.” 

Their connection goes back to a time even before high school. 

“I’ve coached Jack for the past two years as a varsity football player, in addition to helping him become a center in middle school basketball when he was in 7th and 8th grade,” Rutledge said. “I’ve known Jack and his family in some capacity for the past five years. He and I have certainly grown closer over the past two years as a part of the varsity football program.” 

Since Rutledge has known Ziarko for so long, he has a lot to say about how he is as an athlete and as a person. 

“As an athlete, Jack had to work really hard to be in the position he is in now,” he said. “He has worked really hard on his footwork as an offensive and defensive linemen. He has put a lot of work into the weight room over the past two years, which has paid huge dividends for him. He has certain natural abilities, but he’s worked hard to become the athlete that he is right now. As a person, he’s fun to be around. He’s easy to converse with. I look forward to being around Jack and our linemen. He works hard at football, at school, and as a brother and friend. He applies himself in more than one aspect and is the embodiment of what a student-athlete should look like.” 

All of Ziarko’s hard work has paid off. When he takes off his orange helmet and pads at the end of this football season, he will be replacing them with red and white gear next year. 

“As of now, I plan on continuing playing football at Miami (OH) University and majoring in some sort of engineering,” Ziarko said. “I’m excited to meet new people, find new places, and create more connections. Obviously, it’s sad that my high school career is almost over and having to leave the best people ever, but change is good.” 

Even though he will be walking across the stage in May, his impact on Hoover and Hoover football will not. Rutledge believes that Ziarko’s values will impact the team for years to come. 

“I would like to think that Jack’s demeanor, willingness to work hard and his consistency will leave an impression on the juniors, sophomores and freshmen coming up behind him,” he said. “I know that even though some of them would never admit it, they aspire to play football, carry themselves academically and socially in the way he does.”

 Ziarko has one message that he wants to give to underclassmen on the Vikings football team. 

“Never be satisfied, and give 100% into everything you do,” he said. “Whether that’s sports, academics, or relationships and just know there is always room to improve in everything you do whether that’s studying just a little more or hitting the weight room a little harder.” 

To close this chapter of Ziarko’s life, Coach Rutledge has one final message he would like to leave with him as Ziarko moves on in his life. 

“Life will try 1,000,000 different ways to drag you down,” Rutledge said. “Fight the good fight. There’s enough good in the world to keep trying, no matter what.”