Franklin Zirkle, “Coach Z”, started his lacrosse career in 1970s at Woodberry Forest School, then attended Guilford College from ’81-83’ as part of the nationally ranked Quaker teams, playing attack, midfield, and lsm. Upon graduation, he became the head women’s coach at Guilford for a year, and an assistant to the men’s team in ’84, and ’85. He learned the game from NC Hall of Fame Coach Geoff Miller, who mentored many collegiate and high school coaches. In ’84, the Quakers beat Duke University 13-9 in Durham to cap off another year of top national recognition. Coach Z served as a referee in the Triangle, first as a middle school official, then high school, and became a collegiate official for a decade. He was also chosen a US Lacrosse Clinician for the State, mentoring and training new officials. He was chosen to referee the National Collegiate Club Championships. After a successful run as an official, Z took over the job at East Chapel Hill High School, where his teams competed in 3 State Championship games, winning the 2006 game. His teams always made the playoffs, including five semi-final appearances. While his teams had many memorable victories, the Wildcats improbable victory over Long Island Champion Cold Spring Harbor was especially noteworthy.

In 2011, after another State Final appearance, Coach Z resigned from East to start the Carolina Hilltopper Travel Program. During his tenure at East, he created the Orange County Outlaws travel team, and decided to build upon that experience. The first Hilltopper program featured three teams that practiced in Graham, NC. The team was comprised of players from Winston to Wilmington, with most players coming from Greensboro and the Triangle area. The Hilltopper teams have performed well, winning tournaments outright, including a stunning win in Cortland, New York and many other venues.

Z got back into high school coaching for seven years at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, where his teams won and competed for Conference titles, participating in the playoffs each year. In his last season, he eclipsed the 200-win mark to finish with a record of 204-49. He now serves as an assistant coach at Orange High School and is the Co-Founder of the Bull City All Star Game, which has raised over $75,000 for lacrosse scholarships. His wife, Kimberly Eastman Zirkle, played collegiately at Guilford where they met, and has been extremely supportive of his success, both in high school and on the club level. For the Zirkles, lacrosse is a family thing and supporting local lacrosse has been a passion for several decades.