Winona State University Athletics

Won 9 letters Baseball (4), Football (4), Wrestling (1) Member of Conference Baseball Championship Teams 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 Member of NAIA Area IV Championship Team 1961, 1962, 1963 NAIA World Series Participant 1961, 1962, 1963 NAIA World Series All-Tournament 1961 Member of Conference Football Championship Team 1962 All he ever wanted was a chance. That is what Charles “Charlie” E. Zane asked for when he first reached the collegiate campus at Winona after his discharge from the United States Army. With that chance, Zane went on to become one of the all-time three-sport athletes and administrators ever produced at Winona State University. Zane’s athletic career usually involved some type of championship activity.

As a cornerback on the football team, Zane led the team in interceptions during his first two years as a Warrior and Winona State went on to win a conference championship in 1962.

During his four years on the baseball team from 1961 through 1964, the Warriors won four conference championships, three consecutive region championships and appeared in three consecutive NAIA World Series.

In 1961 Zane became part of history of the NAIA World Series, as he set a record for singles hit in a game when he went five-for-five in a record 16 innings against Defiance College. Zane eventually hit over .700 and was named to the All-Tournament team.

Zane also learned many lessons as a Warrior wrestler that led to a very successful career as a wrestling official, as he officiated throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota in district, regional and state high school tournaments and in several collegiate and NCAA Division II national championships.

Inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame October 3, 2009