Dr. Donald J. “Zuke” Zunini

Dr. Donald J. “Zuke” Zunini was born in Reno on March 20, 1920. He attended and graduated, from Reno High School in 1938. He was the center on the 1936 Reno High State Football Championship team.

After high school Zuke worked as a journeyman sheet metal worker before joining the U.S. Air Force. After his Air Force duty expired he attended and graduated from the University of Chicago School of Optometry. Zuke had a long successful professional career as an optometrist in Reno.

The three most remembered things about Zuke were his dedication to youth athletics, his tremendous sense of humor and he always wore red socks. There were many troubled young people over the years that Zuke took under his wing. For many of these youngsters Zuke was their coach, father, and friend.

Some of the youth organizations Zuke was involved with over the years included:

• Reno Babe Ruth League-Coach, Past President
• Reno National Little League-Coach, helped create Swope Sports Complex
• Reno Pop Warner Football-Coach
• Reno High Boosters-Past President
• Found of “Don Zunini Memorial all Teen Golf Tournament. The Tournament ran for 25 years and featured many future PGA and LPGA players.

Zuke passed away on May 12, 1975. He was honored posthumously in 1976 as Sportsman of the Year, for his many years supporting youth athletics. Zuke was honored in 1971 as the Italian of the Year by the Greater Reno Italian Golf Association. In 1982 Zuke was further honored by Reno High School when the baseball field was named Zunini Field.

Zuke’s family continues to thrive and grow. His wife Jackie still lives in Reno. His sons Mike and Pat live and work in Reno, and his daugher Jay resides in Payette, Idaho. Zuke has 8 grandchildren: Chanelle, Justin, Velvet, Erika, J.P., Gina, Jamie and Stephanie. He has six great grandchildren