The Chapel Hilltopper Lacrosse Foundation, a charitable organization set up by the Zirkle family in Chapel Hill, was recognized by the NCHSAA in December for their extensive work in the local lacrosse community and for their contributions to the NCHSAA Scholarship Fund. Through the Bull City All Star Game, the Foundation has raised nearly $50,000 for the Cullen Fund, which provides four scholarships (two men and two women) for graduating seniors who will play lacrosse collegiately. The Foundation has also been active in local lacrosse supporting and establishing middle school programs while also supporting high school programs. A prime example of their work includes helping to start the Neal Middle School lacrosse program through financial assistance, donation of equipment, and providing leadership in the development of that program. Neal Middle School is perhaps the most improbable school in Durham demographically to introduce lacrosse, yet this is why the school was chosen, to introduce a new sport and give back to that community. The foundation has donated helmets and gear to several programs in Orange and Durham County.
Franklin Zirkle, or Coach Z, retired from High School coaching in 2021 after successful stints and East Chapel Hill High School and Leesville Road High School. His teams appeared in 3 NCHSAA State Championships and won the title in 2006. Coach Z finished his relatively short career with over 200 wins, a number rarely reached in high school lacrosse. Kimberly Zirkle graduated from Chapel Hill High School where she played tennis. She graduated and attended Guilford College where she was a member of the 1982 National Championship Tennis team. Eventually she played lacrosse her senior year after Franklin turned over the reigns of coaching the Guilford women’s team to join the men’s staff. Guilford was a Nationally ranked team during Coach Z’s playing and coaching days. He attributes much of his success to the mentoring of his collegiate Coach Geoff Miller.
In 1992 while living in Durham, Coach Z was recruited back to the game as an official by former Duke Coach Tony Cullen and local NCAA official Rick Wooten. Z had a successful officiating career that included refereeing three NCHSAA Championship games and selection as referee on the National Championships for Club lacrosse. He also served as an NCAA official for many years. Tired of the long collegiate officiating travel and wanting to spend more time with his family he applied for the East Chapel Hill job. He took over a program that just won a NCHSAA Championship, interestingly in a game he officiated. Despite losing 18 seniors, he returned the program to two consecutive State Title games in Cary. All his teams competed in the playoffs, with many reaching the semi-final game. While he coached many All-Americans he seems most proud of the numerous Academic All American’s he coached over his twelve year career.
After leaving East, Z started the Carolina Hilltopper Lacrosse travel program. Now the oldest travel team in the area, the Toppers have placed over one hundred players on collegiate rosters. The program has always been a family affair, with son Chandler, now Head Coach at Orange High School, providing a leadership role both with travel lacrosse and the Bull City All Star Game. Hartford Zirkle, the youngest son, has coached at all levels in the program and retains the distinction of being the first Hilltopper. Both sons and Coach Jacob Manning and Coach Daniel Thayer were members of the East Chapel Hill team that appeared in the 2011 title game. The Topper staff is comprised of many former colleagues and players who have had successful careers and players and coaches. Many of the coaches have had NCHSAA State Title game experience and received recognition for their coaching. The program is old enough that several successful former Toppers are now coaching, not only with the program but also in local high school.
The Bull City All Star game and Cullen Classic for Cancer was created to honor a mentor to Coach Z, as Tony Cullen coached against Z, officiated with Z, and upon his unfortunate passing, Coach Z was able to coach two of Tony’s sons at East Chapel Hill. Jeff Spear, a co-founder of the game, played for Tony Cullen at Duke and served as a Captain during his senior year. Through Jeff’s connections to Duke, he was able to open many doors and solicit financial support from former players who wanted to honor Coach Cullen. The annual game provides one last venue, at Koskinen Stadium on the Duke campus, for top female and male seniors to play while raising money for both the Cullen Fund and Duke Cancer.
Kimberly Eastman Zirkle or “Mamma Z” as she is known by players, is also Co-Chair of Christmas House, part of the Chapel Hill Service League’s commitment to the local community. Christmas House provide toys and clothing for over 800 families needing financial assistance in making Christmas a joyous time in many households.
When asked about the award, Coach Z stated, “It’s an honor to be recognized by the NCHSAA for the work of the Foundation. We learned a long time ago that the reward is seeing others succeed, create opportunities for those in need, and teaching a great game with substantial meaning. I have been blessed to enjoy this adventure with my family, many former coaches on my staff, and great people who love the game of lacrosse. There is so much satisfaction in watching players learn life lessons, celebrate victories and learn to accept the occasional defeat.”