James L. Zink

James Lilly Zink (1870 – October 2, 1937) was an athletic director at Indiana University and DePauw University as well as one of the first head coaches of the basketball and football teams at Butler University.

Biography Reported to have been from Greencastle, Indiana, Zink was an 1891 graduate of the School of Gymnastics at Vanderbilt University. From 1891 to 1893, he was an instructor in gymnastics and athletics at Indiana University where he held the title of Director of the Men's Gymnasium within the Department of Physical Training. #tag:ref|One source states that he started at Indiana University in 1890, In 1897, Zink took over as the head coach of the university's football team. In his only season at the helm, Butler went undefeated in three games. Over two seasons, he compiled a record of two victories and five defeats. Zink's was mentioned as a third-party in the appeal of a personal injury case brought before the Indiana Supreme Court in 1910. He was noted in the judgement to be the superintendent of the Zink Gymnasium and Orthopedic Institute.

The United States Patent Office granted Zink a patent for an arch support in 1920 and one for an adjustable hanger for brooms or mops in 1932.

Zink died on October 2, 1937, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis.

Head coaching record Football

Basketball