Your Average Joe: Spencerville Lucky to Have Zerbe
By JOE GILROYYou will never hear it at the local tavern. Nor will you read it on a message board or blog. You most certainly won’t hear it during a game.
High school level and under athletics were always intended to help develop boys and girls in terms. When we sign our permission to participate and waiver forms, we have essentially said we believe in the ability of the coach to both provide the safest environment possible for our child to grow in and to teach them important life lessons such as accountability, reliability, and discipline.
At Spencerville, John Zerbe personifies all that is right with scholastic athletics. He has built the football program into the pride of “Bearcat Country.” Along the way as the school’s football coach and athletic director, he has never forgotten the original intent of scholastic athletics, which has helped him in building his program.
“I feel as if the relational side is always at work. Most of the relationships I build with the kids is in the off-season during workouts. It’s there that I can talk and find out what makes them tick and the things they are interested in, all the while developing a work ethic within them. They realize over time how much I care about them, and I learn how much they respect me,” Zerbe said.
“I think you have to number one show the kids how much you care. That requires lots of time and energy. Most coaches get burned out by that quickly, which that’s where I am talented. I don’t say that with pride, because, I am not the smartest coach on the field. Nor do I intimidate the kids, but finding your God given gifts and using them will go a lot further than trying to be somebody who you are not. Of course, it’s a good idea to hire staff members that make-up for your weaknesses. I feel that on our staff we have all the things that I personally may not possess. Hence, that is where balance on your staff is important, and why there is a purpose for all coaches that are on a staff.”
Although not immediate, success has followed Zerbe from Elida to Spencerville. Zerbe was an assistant coach for the Bulldogs for Chris Etzler.
“I did spend 5 years with Coach Chris Etzler at Elida. We had seasons of 0-10, 1-9, 2-8, and 5-5. I learned what great character was from Coach Etzler. In very trying times, he always showed high character and humility. He treated everyone with respect although he was not always treated nicely. He is someone I wanted to emulate when I became a head coach,” Zerbe said. “Everything I learned at Spencerville was from the school of hard knocks. I have always been the type of person to learn from my own mistakes. Thankfully, I had enough supportive people around me that seen the foundation of what we were building our program on, which is relationships.”
Zerbe has a full plate at Spencerville, where he not only a coach and AD, but also a devoted husband and father of two. The whole family has embraced the move to Spencerville.
“I have an incredible wife that allows me to sink my heart into what I do and that means a lot of sacrifice for her. My kids also have sacrificed over the years so that I can spend time with other people’s kids and invest in their future. I hope that someday my family understands that is has never been about me, but a calling that God has placed on my life that has allowed me to invest in young men so that one day, maybe they can make something of themselves and know that they have someone who is always in their corner, always rooting for them,” Zerbe said. “My dream as a kid was to be the Head Football Coach at Elida High School. It’s funny how life turns out, and how the Lord always has other plans other than our own. I couldn’t be more blessed than to be where I am now. My life is now in Spencerville. My wife is the Guidance Counselor at the school, my kids are now in third and fourth grades. We now call this town home and my family is very content. And what makes my family happy, makes me happy.”
Since the resurgence of the football team, the Bearcat community have fallen in line with what Zerbe and his crew are doing at Spencerville.
“It’s incredible to live in a community that supports our student-athletes in all that they do. Spencerville is not a large town, so the school is the centerpiece of our community. Not only does the community support athletics, but they are very big supporter of our academics, band, choir, and many other great programs that our school offers,” Zerbe said. “Attendance has been really high over the last 3 years. Success will bring people to games. The same can be said for other sports at our school. For example, boys basketball has had success for a long time now and we consistently have large crowds because what they see is an excellent product. It allows the community to be proud of what are student-athletes are doing.”
With the success that Zerbe and company have enjoyed off the field it is playoff time and the Bearcats are once again trying to make a run. This Friday will be a very special time in Bearcat history. Spencerville will be hosting a state play-off football game for the first time ever as St. Henry will visit them.
“We have to play great defense. Any team that plays great defense, has a chance of winning a game. We will need to have long drives on offense and control the clock. As always, we once again will need to play great special teams. Field position is always an indicator of success,” Zerbe says. “They are well coached, big, fast, and strong. They have a nice offensive and defensive scheme. We feel they are a very good football team and have a lot of athletes. We must be at our best if we are to advance.”
Whether the Bearcats win or lose on the field Friday night against St. Henry one thing is for sure, the entire community are all big winners by the addition of Zerbe family.
Coach Z is a fantastic man. He is respected by all who know him. If anyone ever needs a speaker who motivates ask Coach.
John, I appreciate all the work you do for our school, the athletic program, the students, and our community. God bless you and your family.
I went to highschool with john he always had a gift I know he has a big heart. He has a wonderful family. I know one thing you can’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion
I have been a Bearcat all my life. As a teacher there, for 30 years, I got to know/work with John, I have told him in the past and still believe that Spencerville is blessed to have him on our staff at SHS. John and his wife are great role models for our young people. We are blessed to have them. Thanks for all your work and dedication.