'Zoom' Zolk commits to North Carolina

SPORTS

Ahead of his senior season, Neumann-Goretti’s second sacker committed to an elite Division I program

By Joseph Myers

Add Comment | Comments: 1 | Posted Aug. 12, 2010

Mike Zolk, who earned a First Team All-Catholic nod as a junior, hopes to leave 10th and Moore streets with a state championship.

Photo by Greg Bezanis

He calls Northeast Philadelphia home, but Mike “Zoom” Zolk cultivates a deep-rooted fondness for South Philadelphia. This time next year, he will begin to tend to new patches. On Aug. 4, the 17-year-old second baseman made a verbal commitment to the University of North Carolina, where he will trade the gold and black of the Saints for the white and blue of the Tar Heels.

The senior-to-be, had occupied a prominent spot on UNC’s radar since his freshman year at North Catholic High School. The Parkwood resident transferred prior to the 2009-’10 school year and immediately strengthened one of the Catholic League’s most ruthless lineups.

“I had offers from other places, but I felt like I didn’t want to waste anybody’s time by continuing to visit places,” Zolk, who batted .604 in 22 games, said.

His other choices included three Florida schools and the University of Maryland, but Zolk picked the Chapel-Hill based campus with a prolific basketball tradition.

“The baseball team is good, too. Those guys are usually in the Top-25,” he said of the Atlantic Coast Conference member, which had made four straight College World Series appearances before falling in last June’s Regional in Oklahoma.

Zolk has grown accustomed to being “good,” including three straight seasons of All-Catholic recognition. He also had spent the entirety of his summer traveling to tournaments until last week’s well-earned trip to the Jersey Shore.

“After [last June’s] Carpenter Cup, he went to Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and New Jersey for the 17- and 18-and-under Blue Chip Prospects tournament,” his father Michael said. “We had known he was getting attention, but now it’s great that we know where he’s going to be.”

Though Zolk has no family in the Old North State, a strong group of friends and on-field opponents will facilitate his Southern pilgrimage. While away, he may add another accent.

“He’s definitely gained a South Philly accent by being down here,” the elder Zolk said. “[Neumann-Goretti coach] Lou [Spadaccini] told me and my wife [DeeDee] it would happen, but we didn’t believe him. My son definitely has an Italian accent now.”

But he always has had a strong work ethic and a humble nature.

“I tell my son to watch how Mike plays,” Spadaccini said. “‘Zoom’ is an absolute pleasure to coach.”

With Zolk’s left-handed strokes, the Saints finished 18-4, an outstanding mark by most accounts. But the season ended well short of the team’s expectations, as a loss to Monsignor Bonner High School in the Catholic League playoffs prevented the boys from defending last year’s crown. The defeat also erased a shot to participate in the PIAA State Championships, where they advanced to last year’s Class AAA semifinals.

“Before I go to North Carolina, my goal for this year is winning the state championship,” Zolk said. “I can’t wait for the season.”

With Neumann-Goretti’s three core players — Catholic League Blue MVP Mark Donato, First Team All-Catholic selections Al Baur and Michael Riverso — lost to graduation, Zolk covets the chance to guide his teammates.

“He’s a gritty player,” his father said. “North Carolina seemed really enthused with his ability to be low-key and fired-up simultaneously.”

Being both at the same time represents one in a series of ironies for Zolk, who plans to major in Sports Medicine with the goal of being a physical trainer. One might expect someone whose nickname connotes quickness to be a speedster, but he admits becoming a faster runner has become his personal goal. His sobriquet, which along with his last name forms an uncommon alliterative pair, in fact has nothing to do with his footwork.

“It comes from a Mazda commercial,” Zolk, referring to a popular car advertisement in which a boy utters “Zoom-Zoom” at the conclusion, said. “A soccer coach thought I looked like the kid in the commercial. I’ve had the nickname for nine or 10 years.”

Over those years and even those from the beginning of his life, Zolk has had no time to rest on his laurels because he has had little time to recharge.

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