Jason Zitzke was named the Parkside head men's soccer coach in June of 2011. He is now in his 14th season as head coach in 2024 and 25th season overall as a member of the coaching staff for the Rangers.
The 2010 Parkside Hall of Fame inductee served as an assistant coach from 1999-2002 before being promoted to associate head coach in 2003.
Zitzke and the Rangers had another impressive season in the 2023 campaign. The Rangers finished the year 9-5-3 overall and 7-2-1 in GLIAC play. Zitzke's leadership led to the Rangers clinching the GLIAC Regular Season Championship at Wood Road Field and led to him recieving GLIAC Coach of the year, the third time he has won the award in his tenure. The Rangers also earned a NCAA DII Tournament appearance as they fell in the opening round in an overtime match to Maryville. In 2023 Zitzke coached GLIAC Defender of the Year Mike Howell. Howell also reeled in All-Region honors for the Midwest. Zitzke also coached Alejandro Martinez, who's play led to All-American honors for 2023.
Zitzke and his team finished the 2022 season in historic fashion. After finishing second during the regular season and a heartbreaking loss against Davenport University in the GLIAC tournament semifinals, Zitzke and his team received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Selected as the number 10 seed in the super region 3 the Parkside men’s soccer team traveled to Ashland University to take on University of Indianapolis in a first-round matchup. Zitzke led his team to a historic 4-2 win and the first win in a NCAA tournament in program history. This win also meant the 100th career win for Coach Zitzke. With number #2 seed Ashland waiting in the second round, Zitzke’s team had another strong opponent in front of them. Playing one man down for over 55 minutes, the team did the unthinkable and advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 3-2 win. The 2021 GLIAC Coach of the Year saw his team fall short to #3 Maryville and their historic season came to and end. Coach Zitzke and his team finished the season with a 12-4-4 overall record, going 7-1-4 in GLIAC play. Men’s Soccer stayed unbeaten at home throughout the entire season with a 7-0-2 record.
The 2021 season was one to remember for Zitzke’s team. Coach Zitzke took his squad to another NCAA tournament after sweeping the 2nd GLIAC title and GLIAC tournament title in the span of three years. After beating Davenport 3-2 in a dramatic conference tournament final the team got a bye for the first round of the NCAA tournament and hosted a second-round game where they faced Fort Hays State. After a tough loss against Fort Hays in the NCAA tournament the team finished with a 15-4-2 overall record, going 10-3-1 in GLIAC play.
The 2021 season ended up to be another award-filled year with five Rangers being recognized with All-GLIAC honors as well as two players being named All-American and two players being named Scholar All-American. Zitzke was honored as the 2021 GLIAC Coach of the Year for the second time after 2019.
In the 2019 season, Zitzke took his squad to the NCAA tournament after sweeping the regular-season GLIAC title and GLIAC tournament, where they beat Saginaw Valley 2-1 in the final. It was the first GLIAC championship in Parkside history, and the first NCAA tournament berth for the program since 2006. The team finished with a 13-5-3 overall record, going 10-2-2 in GLIAC play. The Rangers NCAA tournament was cut short after a heartbreaking loss to Cedarville in a penalty shootout.
The 2019 season was an award-filled one for him and the team, as nine Rangers received All-GLIAC honors. The biggest award out of the nine was given to Zitzke, as he was named the 2019 GLIAC Coach of the Year.
The 2021 season was another one to remember for Zitzke’s team. Coach Zitzke took his squad to another NCAA tournament after sweeping the 2nd GLIAC title and GLIAC tournament title in the span of three years. After beating Davenport 3-2 in a dramatic conference tournament final the team got a bye for the first round of the NCAA tournament and hosted a second-round game where they faced Fort Hays State. After a tough loss against Fort Hays in the NCAA tournament the team finished with a 15-4-2 overall record, going 10-3-1 in GLIAC play.
Parkside reached the NCAA Tournament five times during Zitzke’s tenure (2000, 2004, 2006, 2019, 2021) while also securing a GLVC Championship in 2000 and a GLIAC championship in 2019 as well as 2021.
As an assistant, Zitzke coordinated the offensive attack that finished in the top three in scoring in the GLVC eight times during his 12-year stint in that capacity. The 2006 squad had the eighth-best offense in the country scoring 2.85 goals per game.
Zitzke enjoyed a prolific career at UW-Parkside (1995-1998), finishing his playing days with a 57-22-3 record. The four-year starter scored 83 total points in his career with 28 goals and 27 assists. He was a three-time All-Region selection and was named a second team All-American as a junior.
The Wauwatosa, Wis., native was inducted into the Parkside Athletic Hall of Fame in October of 2010. He is the only player in the program’s history to be drafted into two professional leagues (Milwaukee Wave, indoor, and Milwaukee Rampage, outdoor). He played two seasons with the Wave earning a championship ring during the 1999-2000 National Professional Soccer League season.
Zitzke came to Parkside after a decorated career at Marquette University High School, culminating in the fall of 1994 with a WISAA State Championship.
Zitzke lives in Bay View, Wisconsin, with his wife Dr. Michelle Zitzke and two daughters, Thia and Stella.
