West Genesee, Syracuse great John Zulberti dies: ‘He was a face of lacrosse’

John Zulberti

John Zulberti ranks sixth on Syracuse University's all-time lacrosse points list with 267. (Scott Conroe)Syracuse Post-Standard

Syracuse, N.Y. -- John Zulberti, widely acclaimed as one of the most dominant players to ever take the field for lacrosse powerhouses at West Genesee and Syracuse University, has died at age 54.

Former Orange player Liam Banks, who coached youth programs with Zulberti in Atlanta, said he got word that Zulberti died either late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Banks said he was told Zulberti drowned, although he didn’t have details. It’s possible a heart attack might have been a factor in the accident.

“I think there’s just a ton of sadness. He changed so many lives,” Banks said of the reaction among the lacrosse world.

Zulberti racked up 361 career points at West Genesee and went on to become a four-time All-American attack with the Orange, leading the team to national titles in 1988-89. He was just the second player in program history to become a four-time All-American, making an immediate impact with 74 points as a freshman in 1986. His totals for points (74) and assists (41) are still Syracuse’s freshman records.

He finished his career with 267 points, a mark which ranks sixth in program history. He also scored a point in every game of his collegiate career, a program-record 60 straight. Zulberti was named the Jack Turnbull Award winner as the nation’s top attackman in 1988 and 1989.

“I think he’s probably the greatest high school lacrosse player to ever play the game,” said teammate Greg Burns. “Just an incredible lacrosse player. He was so athletic and quick. He was just unstoppable in high school and really he was pretty much unstoppable in college.”

Wearing orange Converse hightops that became his signature look Zulberti was the engine on an attack line with Burns and Tom Marechek, one of the best groupings in the history of the sport. Marechek called him the best pure feeder he’d ever seen.

“He could zip a ball in there, any angle, left or right,” Marechek said. “He almost shoots the ball to you. He could really pinpoint his passes.”

Longtime teammate and friend Steve Scaramuzzino also put Zulberti in the pantheon of the sport.

“There was a lot of great lacrosse players to come out of this area,” Scaramuzzino said. “I don’t know if there was anyone greater than John Zulberti.”

Zulberti, who grew to be known as much for his thick beard as his lacrosse skills, was also one of the most personable and largest personalities in the sport.

“He was the pied piper of his team. He was ‘Z.’ That’s it. Z-man,” Scaramuzzino said.

“Z was just a fun-loving guy,” Burns said. “He was just so much fun to be around. He liked and loved everybody and everybody loved him. He was a face of lacrosse. In his prime, he was the guy. It’s a sad day for the Syracuse family. People are just heartbroken.”

Zulberti had spent the past several years coaching in Atlanta. Banks said one of his biggest legacies will be the way he grew the sport’s popularity there.

“A massive part of Atlanta lacrosse is what he did,” Banks said. “Atlanta lacrosse will not be the same without him. It will take a step back without his presence.”

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