Walter Zirinsky was one of the most versatile
athletes ever to play football for the Leopards. He
was an outstanding half back, punter, place kicker
and sometime passer. He had endless ways of
beating the opposition.
In a 26-7 victory over
Muhlenberg in 1940, Zirinsky rushed for two
touchdowns, added the extra points and booted
two field goals. The following year, he boomed five
punts against the Mules for 54.7 yd. average, which
still remains a single game record. In a 46-0 rout of
Lehigh in 1940, he scored three touchdowns, kicked
three extra points and passed for a fourth score.
The whitewash concluded Lafayette's last
undefeated season. Earlier that year, he played
perhaps his greatest game against Army. Zirinsky
scored the first touchdown and returned an
interception 35 yards for the last in a 19-0 shutout of
the Cadets. Zirinsky also captained the Leopard
basketball team and was a star baseball player.
