Achievement+ Perspective+ Perseverance

WEST SIDE ALLIANCE

SOCCER CLUB

“WE TRANSCEND TEAM AND

 

“WE TRANSCEND TEAM AND BECOME FAMILY…

THIS IS OUR BROTHERHOOD. THIS IS OUR SISTERHOOD. 

THIS IS OUR PASSION. THIS IS OUR LEGACY.”

-- worn on the back of WSA training shirts along with the JZ on the sleeve in honor and loving memory of our teammate and friend, Josh Zingo.

           

On November 7th, 2003, Joshua Jospeh Zingo died in an automobile accident. Josh was a first year member of the WSA 86/85 boys soccer team. On that day many lost a teammate, a friend, and a true treasure. Josh excelled in soccer partly because he was a blessed and gifted athlete, but probably mostly because of his passion. It is this passion, this love for life that Josh left as his legacy. His smile, his fellowship, and his intense passion will always be remembered. 

            Josh was born on June 19th, 1985, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a senior at Oolagah High School, and a member of their varsity soccer team. Josh made an immediate impression on his WSA 86/85 team when he showed up to play in the summer of 2003. He went through the tryouts with a severely injured foot, due to a boating accident he had been in the week before. Josh, his parents relayed, always had an adventurous spirit. In one of the opening tournaments of the season Josh helped his WSA team capture the Labor Day Invitational championship trophy. In one match his WSA teammates were forced to play with 9 men due to injuries, and still came out on top with a 4-0 win.  Josh along with his teammates always encountered adversity with a true spirit and attitude of belief.  Josh earned respect from his WSA 85/86 teammates who prided themselves on toughness, passion, and intensity. When the team won the runner-up trophy in the St. Louis MC showcase on the weekend of Josh’s passing, the team mustered up every ounce of courage in their championship game to battle from behind in an effort to secure the championship trophy for Josh. They brought back the runner-up award to give to Josh’s family and knew Josh had been with them, and that he was proud of them, because they represented his passion in that match. 

            The 2004 WSA Friendship Cup tournament was played in honor and memory of Josh. All 200 participating WSA players wore JZ armbands to help keep Josh in their memory. In 2004 WSA began the tradition of playing the “Josh Zingo Memorial” match in honor and memory of Josh at the annual Friendship Cup. That tradition continues to this day. Each match begins with 10 men on the field, knowing Josh is our 11th member. Many WSA players will continue to adorn their uniforms with the JZ armbands, and many of our WSA tshirts have the JZ logo encircled on their left sleeve, nearest the heart, as a reminder that we will keep Josh Zingo, “JZ”, always in our heart.

            Josh’s family would like to remind everyone to always wear their seatbelts. Josh’s life was an example, our memory of him is his legacy. Life is a true treasure, a gift that is but a moment in the vastness of the human experience.  And Josh’s example taught us to embrace and cherish this moment, this treasure, for all that it is worth.  And he reminded us that our treasure we can make golden, so that it shines eternal.

            IN HONOR OF JOSH ZINGO… ONWARD WITH PASSION!

 

 
 

                        CLICK HERE FOR JOSH’S TRIBUTE