Event Organizers
Our event is organized by a group of local lacrosse enthusiasts comprised of local high school coaches, and local college lacrosse alumni, who all share a passion for helping grow the game of lacrosse in NC, and have unique connections to Tony Cullen.
Directors:
Jeff Spear – Long time Assistant Varsity Coach, Leesville Road High School. 757 Pilot, FEDEX Express. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired). Duke Lacrosse Alumni/Team Co-Captain (’82-’85). Played 4 years for Coach Cullen.
Franklin Zirkle –Previous Head Varsity Coach, Leesville Road High School and East Chapel Hill High School, with 214 varsity wins in 14 seasons. President, Hilltoppers Lacrosse Foundation. Guilford College Lacrosse Alumni (’79-’83). Guilford College Assistant Men’s Coach, and Head Women’s Coach ’84-‘85. Longtime local high school & NCAA official. Officiated with Tony Cullen.
Tom Brawner – Founder, Triad Blackhawks. Founding director, Triad Blackhawks (2008-present). Youth Lacrosse Coach, Triad Youth Lacrosse Association (2003-2011). Assistant Lacrosse Coach, Western Guilford HS (2009), West Stokes HS (2016). Organizing chairman, Stick it to Hunger Charity Lacrosse Classic (2010-present).
Women’s Game Director:
Kimberly Eastman Zirkle – An Executive Coach, consultant, and energetic leader in the health care industry. Kimberly has been charged with outreach amongst the Women’s Lacrosse Community. She is also one of the creative minds behind the game and serves on the Board of the Hilltopper Lacrosse Foundation. Kimberly played collegiately at Guilford College.
Men’s Game Director:
Chandler Zirkle – Head Varsity Coach at Orange High School and Coach for Carolina Hilltopper Select Lacrosse. Previously, Assistant Men’s Coach, Guilford College. Guilford Lacrosse Alumni (‘12-’15). Chandler also holds a Master’s Degree from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education Student Affairs, and is a teacher at Orange High School.
Game Day Social Media Director:
Hartford Zirkle – Previous Offensive Coordinator at Leesville Road High School, and player at Chapel Hill High School and Carolina Hilltoppers Select Lacrosse.
Advisors:
Mike Fidgeon – CEO, Hillcrest Family Services. Founder, Duke Gray Devils Alumni Lacrosse Network. Duke Lacrosse Alumni (’85-’88). Played 4 years for Coach Cullen
Rod Santomassimo – Founder & President, The Massimo Group. Assistant Coach, Duke Lacrosse (’86-’87). Coached 2 years under Coach Cullen, and worked with Tony in private industry for over 10 years.