John “Zeke” Zimich

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A native of Hanover Township, John graduated from Hanover High School and King’s College wehre he lettered as a member of the varsity golf team. He is one of six children of the late Thomas and Anna Zimich. Following graduation from King’s College in 1962, he began his newspaper career with the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. He also worked for the Wilkes-Barre Record and the Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice. For several years he covered Penn State football which included the Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl. Two of those Penn State bowl teams won national championships. Zeke penned several sports columns, including “Inside Sports,” and “Pars and Bogeys.” After 25 years in the newspaper field, John joined the team at Pocono Downs, serving as public relations director and hosting a live television show seen on area cable television networks and at various racetracks throughout the country. He currently still serving in those capacities with partner Jim Beviglia for Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. As a broadcaster for many years, Zeke did play-by-play and color for high school football, basketball and wrestling for WILK Radio, WNAK and WBAX. John, for more than 20 years, has been the Voice of the King’s College Monarchs, serving as public address announcer for the men’s and women’s basketball teams and also the football team. He was one of the first media members to be honored by District 2 PIAA. John is married to the former Irene Krill of Wilkes-Barre. They have two daughters, Suzanne Falatko and Marisa Stella, along with two grandchildren, Mara and Kyra Stella.