Zanesville Blue Devil Quarterback Club & Mothers' Club

Official Booster Groups of the Zanesville Blue Devils

The Zanesville High School Blue Devil Quarterback Club was founded in 1971 by a group of dedicated football boosters. The Quarterback Club exists for the purpose of benefiting the Zanesville Blue Devil Football Program. Our goal is to support the Program in an effort to successfully provide for the young men who participate.

The Quarterback Club continues to be the driving force in making sure that our Blue Devil Players have the finest facilities, equipment, and opportunities that are available for a high school football program. In projects the Club undertakes the first question asked is “Will this project benefit Zanesville Football?” If the answer is “yes” then the project shall be endorsed. It is through the hard work, dedication and financial support of hundreds that form the basis for this Club.

Goals, Achievements, and History of the Zanesville Blue Devil Quarterback Club in support of the Zanesville High School Football Program.



1.) The Quarterback club was initiated in February of 1971 by Ron Apperson, who was Head Football Coach at that time, in order to support the football programs within the Zanesville City Schools.

2.) The 1st / Charter President was Edward “Ned” Ormond and the original Board Members were Dr. Diehl Sulsberger, George Vlerebone, Dr. Joe Porter, Dick Keys, Bill Joseph, Dr. Dominic Brune, Howard “Butch” Zwelling, Harold Miles, & John Parsons. Collectively, these men created the 2 main tenets of the Zanesville Blue Devil Quarterback Club:

1. One question must be applied to any proposal taken before The Quarterback Club, “Will this project benefit Zanesville Football?” and if this question can be answered “Yes” then the project should be endorsed.

2. A Presidential term would consist of 1-year, with no President succeeding himself. As a result of this foresight there are 40 Past-Presidents with most still being involved in the Quarterback Club today.

3.) Providing a yearly scholarship to an outstanding senior football player attending college as well as in the past having provided scholarship financing for summer school primarily tailored for those student athletes who were motivated to catch up with their graduating class. (Two football player recipients of the summer school financing continued on to graduate from college and played college football for 4 years.)

4.) Hosted a 30 minute television program on WHIZ-TV called Blue Devil Football Weekly. The program promoted the Zanesville Football Program and recognized the outstanding players of the week from 1972 to 1982.

5.) Currently hosts the weekly Quarterback Club luncheon in season. The Coach details the previous game with a film breakdown and brings along guest players who are recognized for their community, academic, and athletic achievements.

6.) Has worked to secure private financing for the construction of a weight-room and conditioning facility which was an addition to the High School at that time. The Club has made a major contribution to the renovation of John D Sulsberger Stadium as well as the Field Turf Project. These projects along with the Lee Vinsel Memorial, The Wall of Pride Bricks, and the Memorial Grove Trees lining the entrance are all projects that the Quarterback Club, with the support of many, has been a large part of.

7.) Financing the team charter buses to away games and in conjunction with the Zanesville Football Mothers’ Club finance and furnish pre and post-game meals.

8.) Sponsoring special recognition awards for outstanding achievement towards team goals as recommended by the Blue Devil Coaching Staff.

9.) Serving to provide an avenue of participation by supporting the youth football program within the Zanesville Community in a positive manner through interaction between players, their families, and community leaders.

10.) Purchasing necessary football equipment needed for the team, including: team uniforms, weight-room equipment, blocking sleds, training supplies, coaching apparel, and other football related equipment.

11.) Provided Team blazers with the Blue Devil logo for the football team, the coaches, and the team personnel.

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