Cross & Crescent

On January 4, 2006, John Zilka (Southern California 2006) will return to the stadium in which he first played as a college football player, The Rose Bowl, where the USC Trojans will be playing against the Texas Longhorns in hopes of winning their third consecutive NCAA Division I National Championship.

A senior at the University of Southern California, Zilka will likely see little playing time, if any, but understands his importance to the team.

Walk On

Partly because of a high school injury, Zilka was not recruited to play football by any top schools. Instead, he made his college choice based on non-athletic reasons.

Though he could have played at a Division III school, he wanted the big school experience and was intrigued by Orange County. In fact, Zilka didn’t even expect to play football; the decision to walk on did not occur until he was already on campus.

Zilka saw his first action his freshmen year in the rout of UCLA, in what he describes as his most memorable personal moment in his football career. “Lo and behold, the first time I got on the field was in the Rose Bowl (UCLA’s home field). That is something I will never forget.”

He participated in only three plays, but remembers them as if they lasted for three quarters.

For Zilka’s sophomore and junior seasons, he played in only one game each. This year, he has played in five games thus far.

Every Player Has a Role

Though Zilka doesn’t see much playing time, he knows he is an important member of the team.

“Every player has a role,” says Zilka. “The great thing about Coach [Pete] Carroll is that he allows everyone to have a role, and is serious about them fulfilling it—whether it’s [Matt] Leinart, Reggie Bush, or a guy like me.”

Zilka’s role is on the scout team, getting his kicks Tuesday through Thursday as he prepares the starting defense for the upcoming week. His job is to mimic one of the top wide receivers of an upcoming opponent’s team during practice.

“I try to run routes like they do, block like they do, do all the schemes they do,” says Zilka, who knows that his ability to act and move like an opponent’s star player will make his teammates better.

In the last four years, USC has been one of the most successful college football teams in history. The team is competing for its 35th consecutive victory and its third consecutive Division IA National Title. The program has produced three Heisman Trophy winners and has earned four Pac-Ten titles.

Zilka just soaks it all up, saying he is simply grateful for the opportunity. “Sometimes I felt that maybe I didn’t deserve all this because there are so many other people playing Division IA football. I am sure they are better than me and never get to experience anything close to being a part of what I have.”

“Sometimes life gives you stuff, you just have to be thankful for it,” he says.

On Campus

Lessons learned on the field often apply in other settings. On campus, Zilka carries a 3.4 GPA in Business Administration and is an active member of the Zeta-Delta chapter.

Time management has been his key in juggling football, school, and fraternity. His typical day consists of a morning workout, class, and afternoon practice. And in the evenings, Zilka sacrifices going out every night for school work.

But don’t misunderstand him; Zilka admits the social scene is what sparked his initial interest in fraternities. When a teammate invited Zilka down to the Lambda Chi Alpha house one week, he soon felt at home.

“I came during rush week on that first Monday and that was it,” he says. “I didn’t go anywhere else the entire week.”

Zilka moved into the chapter house his sophomore year and has continued living there the last three years. “I just wanted to keep that experience around, always having the guys around; it’s really a unique experience.”

Football and fraternity life have gone hand in hand for Zilka. He believes both involve a lot of character. Just like on the football field, Zilka believes every member has a role.

“I have to play my role on the scout team. And then at the fraternity, as a senior, I have to play my role of being a leader and doing what is right–showing the younger guys how this house operates,” he says.

Zilka also believes in accountability. Much like teammates, chapter members must stay active, show up, and do their part.

Surrounded by Success

Much like the USC Trojans, the Zeta-Delta chapter has much to be proud of. Zilka’s chapter, with 114 members, is the largest on campus and boasts fourth academically.

The chapter recently received a new member education award, and pride themselves on being one of two fraternities on campus that does not haze.

Being active within the community, tutoring inner city children, and participating in philanthropic efforts around campus are all frequent chapter activities.

“I have had the best college experience that any sports/frat guy could want,” says Zilka. “I go to a good school, I get good grades, I am part of a dominant football team that is just on top of the world, and I am in one of the best houses on the row.”

“With school, football and fraternity,” he adds, “I don’t think my experience could be any better.”