Lou "Scooter" Tolzda, who guided the Union Local Jets girls' basketball team for five seasons, announced his resignation this week, bringing an end to a tenure that blended instructional leadership with athletic excellence.
A Record of Consistency and Triumph
During his time at the helm, Tolzda compiled a 108‑22 record, highlighted by a 20‑5 campaign that culminated in a heartbreaking buzzer‑beating defeat to West Muskingum in the Division V Eastern District Finals. Over the past decade his squads averaged more than 22 wins per season, captured multiple OVAC, Buckeye 8 and ECOL championships, and earned nine Coach‑of‑the‑Year honors.
Beyond the scoreboard, Tolzda remains on campus as Dean of Students and a classroom teacher, continuing to mentor the same youngsters he once coached. In a recent interview he signaled that his coaching days are far from over, noting that he still has several years of experience to offer any program willing to bring him on board.
The school board has said the head‑coach position will be posted in the coming weeks, launching a search that reflects both the high bar set by Tolzda and the differing visions some stakeholders hold for the program’s future direction.
Colleagues and alumni alike have praised the steady hand and community spirit Tolzda injected into the Jets, a legacy that includes trips to the Ohio state tournament and a reputation for developing players who excel both on the court and in the classroom.