This week we lost a longtime friend and great coach of Buckeye lore Frank Zubovich. Frank was coach of Butch Reynolds and personal friend of Jesse Owens.
https://www.dispatch.com/obituaries/pwoo1257681
Frank M. Zubovich of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on August 14. 2025. Frank was born to Croatian immigrants, the late Jack and Josephine Zubovich, in Columbus, Ohio on January 30, 1931. In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Janice, and sisters Mary Gaybud and Donna Damian. Frank is survived by daughters, Stephanie (Alan) Christie and Jo Ellen Ziegler; son Brad (Carol) Zubovich: granddaughters, Jennifer Christie and Victoria Zubovich; grandsons, Matthew (Kathryn) Christie and Kyle (Heather) Yunker, great grandsons, Beckett Christie and Callan Christie; sister, Margaret Borosic; nephews Michael Borosic and Frank Damian; and niece JoAnn Damian.
Frank graduated from South High School in 1949 where he played basketball and ran track. He enrolled at The Ohio State University in 1951 where he became a member of the OSU varsity track and field team during the 1951, 1952 and 1955 seasons. Frank left OSU during the 1953 and 1954 seasons to serve in the US Navy returning in 1955 to complete his senior year. He received his undergraduate degree on June 10th 1955, and married his wife Janice, the very next day, June 11th. Frank completed his Master’s Degree in 1956 and accepted a teaching and coaching position at Cleveland Glenville High School. In 1966 he accepted the Assistant Track Coach position at The Ohio State University and in 1975 Frank became the Head Track Coach at OSU, where he coached numerous champions including 1988 Olympic Silver medalist Butch Reynolds. Frank was also a personal friend of OSU graduate, Jesse Owens, a four-time gold medal winner at the 1936 Olympics.
The family would like to express thanks to the many athletes Frank coached, who enriched his life, and became long-term friends. Thanks also to special friends Dick Crawford, John Cleland and Adabelle McLaughlin. We would also like to thank the friends and neighbors who checked in on Frank, especially in recent years. He was a proud buckeye that enjoyed watching Ohio State football and basketball. Frank was in a bible study group and was an active member of St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Upper Arlington. He loved warm weather, being outside in the summer, and trips to the beach with his wife Janice.
A Celebration of Life will be held at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road in Columbus near Upper Arlington on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10AM to 12Noon, where we will process to Union Cemetery Chapel for a 12:30PM Inurnment Service. Friends and family are invited back to Schoedinger Northwest for a luncheon from 1:30 to 3:30 pm following the inurnment service.
