Don Zimmerman

Donald Gordon Zimmerman Jr. (January 19, 1913 – May 25, 1974), nicknamed "the Flying Dutchman", was an American football player and track and field athlete for the Tulane Green Wave of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Early life Donald Gordon Zimmerman Jr. was born on January 19, 1913, in Texas to Donald G. and Madeline Zimmerman. Don, Jr. grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Tulane University

Football

Zimmerman was a "triple-threat" player as a runner, passer, and kicker on coach Bernie Bierman's and Tex Cox's Tulane football teams from 1929 to 1932. His first three years saw three Southern Conference championships. Zimmerman led the Green Wave to a win–loss–tie record of 25–4–1 . Tulane football legend Jerry Dalrymple started playing the season before. Zimmerman returning a punt 69 yards for a TD against Mississippi A&M.

1930 The 1930 team lost only to Northwestern, Zimmerman scoring the first touchdown in the 28 to 0 victory over Georgia Tech. He also ran a punt back 69 yards against Mississippi A&M. The 1930 team was Southern co-champion with national champion Alabama.

1931 The 1931 team lost only to national champion USC 21 to 12 in the Rose Bowl in which Zimmerman threw a touchdown to Vernon Haynes. Tulane still managed a Rose Bowl record for yardage gained. Zimmerman eclipsed 100 yards rushing in both the Auburn and LSU games that year.

1932 The 1932 team saw Zimmerman get then school records with 1,885 yards total offense and a 5.5-yard rushing average. Tulane lost to Auburn, and then lost to LSU in the final game of the year with Zimmerman and several other regulars sidelined by a flu epidemic. He also ranks fifth in career rushing yards with 2,369. Zimmerman is a member the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame and was elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.

Track and field Zimmerman was Tulane's first Southeastern Conference track champion, winning the 1933 pole vault title.