WEST MILFORD — When conversing on the subject of athletics with Elmer Zimmerman, it’s readily apparent as to just why he has earned such long-term success as a head coach at West Milford High School. In terms of this discussion, the topic is tennis, a sport in which Zimmerman recently captured his 500th victory as the Highlanders’ girls' coach.
The win, a 4-1 triumph over Lakeland earlier this month, means that he has captured 1,000 combined wins as the coach of the girls' and boys' teams combined during his tenure. Last May, with a 4-1 victory over Pompton Lakes, he tallied his 500th win as the boys' head coach.
Zimmerman obviously has a vast knowledge of tennis, the technical approach needed to be successful on the court and a competitiveness that has been contagious to those on his rosters throughout the years. But, he also wants the student-athletes who pass through his program to enjoy themselves, while at the same time learning the sport and finding ways to be successful.
After the milestone match against Lakeland, Zimmerman, whose teams have won several Conference and County titles over the years, wasn’t immediately concerned with what the achievement meant to him, rather what it meant to this year’s team first and foremost. His modesty even after a major accomplishment is something that many young coaches entering the profession at any level can take note of and remember throughout their own careers.
“Winning the match itself was the biggest thing,” Zimmerman said. “It was a conference match and they are a local rival. My secondary thoughts were about getting to 1,000 wins (combined). It means that I’ve been coaching for a long time and that I’ve coached a lot of great kids.
“A number of the athletes that I’ve coached have gone on to play in college at the Division I, Division II and Division III levels and that's something that I’m very happy about.”
Zimmerman is much beloved by the community, his players and his family.
"My dad is an incredible man," said Beth Heinzelmann, Zimmerman's daughter. "He is a hard worker, extremely outgoing, gives of himself in anyway that he can to see someone reach his/her potential and he is an incredible father and grandfather. I am so very blessed to have him in my life and in the lives of my children."
Heinzelmann said she hopes the photo she took for this story "is a true picture of what an incredibly blessed community we are" to have a man like her father share his knowledge of tennis with so many young people, teaching them a lifetime sport as well as positive lifetime habits.
For over 20 years, members of the West Milford tennis programs have attended an elite camp located in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Zimmerman feels that the experiences involved with the trips have been both memorable and productive for the student-athletes.
“The kids do fundraisers to be able to go to the camp and it’s really a great bonding process,” Zimmerman said. “They get to learn a lot about the sport, plus they get to take a break and enjoy the ocean. Parents also use the opportunity to get a nice vacation.”
After the graduation of eight players from last season’s team, it’s been a rebuilding year. Still, the Highlanders, led by captains Sabrina Koropchak and Ashley Dondershine, finished well above the .500 mark and advanced to the NJSIAA North I Group III Sectional Tournament.
Editor's note: The Highlanders were defeated by Sparta in the opening round of the North I Group III Sectional Tournament.