Scoreboard operator retires after 41 years

To do anything for more than four decades takes great dedication and passion, and that's exactly what Ben Zalas proved he had as the scoreboard operator each fall at UW Oshkosh home football games.

Zalas, who turned 90 on Nov. 27, grew to become a member of the Oshkosh football community thanks to his love of the game of football.

"I became a Titan football fan ever since I came to the University, so it was a lot of fun," Zalas said. "Sometimes the outcomes of the games that I worked wouldn't always come out the way I'd like them to. When your team loses, you don't feel so happy about it."

In 1970, Zalas came to Oshkosh for employment and it just so happened that his arrival coincided with the opening of brand new Titan Stadium. It was then that he was asked by the late Hal Krause if he wanted to help out in the press box for each football game played on J.J. Keller Field.

"At the time, Hal Krause was the dean of continuing education and he was the field announcer for the Titans' home football games," Zalas said. "He was looking for people in the press box to run the score board and keep time and such. He was wondering what my experiences were in sports, and I had been a coach and an athletic director and I also played high school football, so when he asked me if I'd be willing to help out, I said ‘yeah.'"

That's where it all began for Zalas, who held all responsibilities concerned with the scoreboard except for timekeeper. There was also a person who would help spot for Krause so his calls were accurate.

About 175 games and 41 years later, Zalas decided his time was up as scoreboard operator at Titan Stadium.

His last game was on Nov. 12 when the Titans hosted UW-Stout, earning a 35-3 victory to help send Zalas off on a high note.

"It was kind of a sad feeling [being done] because I've enjoyed doing this for so many years and then all of a sudden, like anything else, all good things have to come to an end," Zalas said. "There were mixed emotions and most them, obviously, were good. The camaraderie with the other people in the press box and the coaching staff throughout the years; it was all a wonderful experience for me."

Despite witnessing a couple of conference championships early in his tenure and a near defeat of two-time defending Division III champion UW-Whitewater in his final year, Zalas said there wasn't a specific moment that stood out during his 41 years.

"If you were to ask me, ‘which one of those games did you enjoy best,' I guess I would have to say all of them," Zalas said. "I felt happy for the guys when they won and felt badly, like I'm sure the players did, when they lost."

Zalas also worked as a program development specialist with the College of Education and the Division of Continuing Education until 1990.

Earlier in the year, Zalas alerted Oshkosh Athletic Director Darryl Sims that this season would be his last up in the press box, joking that it might be time to hand the job to someone younger, ‘in their 70s or 80s.'

Even through earning a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and sinking a hole-in-one in golf, he still remembers his days as a football player in high school.

"I played high school football, but I wasn't big enough or good enough to play on the university level," Zalas said with a laugh. "I played for South Bend Catholic High school and I lettered in football and basketball. Of course, I went out for football at Ball State University, but like I said, I wasn't big enough or good enough to make the team."

When asked if Zalas ever missed a game, he said he was forced out of action in 1997 because of open heart surgery, but otherwise barely ever missed a game.

Operating a scoreboard isn't the only long-term commitment Zalas has – he's been married to his wife Helen for 64 years. They have six children, 29 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

"I'm sure that I will [come back to watch some games]," Zalas said. "Darryl Sims already assured me I won't have to worry about having to pay to come see the ball games. If they ever need a sub for the scoreboard, I'd be willing to help out."

Should that opportunity ever present itself, Oshkosh would welcome back Zalas with open arms. Until then, whether it's someone in their 70s, 80s or fresh out of college picked to replace Zalas, they will have a huge pair of shoes to fill.