Catholic education and bulldog athletics run deep in the veins of James and Lori Zimmer.
Notre Dame Regional High School plans to honor the couple’s deep and abiding commitment to the school on August 10 when they will be honored as the 2024 recipients of the prestigious Annunciation Award, bestowed by the NDHS Education Fund Foundation at the Queen of Victory Evening of Excellence.
The Annunciation Award is presented annually to individuals and organizations that have devoted immeasurable time, talent and/or treasure to sustain Catholic secondary education in the community and whose presence, by word and deed, has enriched the lives of the students of Notre Dame and served as an example for all.
“The Zimmer family has left a lasting mark on the Notre Dame family, and we are overjoyed to have James and Lori as our Annunciation Award recipients at our inaugural Queen of Victory Banquet,” said Tim Garner, NDHS president.
The Cape Girardeau couple says they were surprised to learn they would be recognized.
“It’s quite a list of wonderful and distinguished people who have received this award,” James said. “Lori and I never expected, nor were we looking, to receive an award.”
Their affection for Notre Dame transcends generations.
“I guess it started with my dad (Jerome Zimmer). He was always a big supporter of Catholic education,” James said. “He supported both the high school and the baseball program, and Lori and I wanted to continue that tradition on his behalf. Two of our three children attended Notre Dame, and we are grateful for the wonderful and excellent education they received while attending.”
The Zimmers’ son Mark (’08) excelled in track and soccer as an NDHS athlete, and their daughter, Margaret (’06), played on the softball team. Mark, who is a 2022 inductee into the NDHS Athletic Hall of Fame, was a member of the 2006 and 2007 state championship soccer teams. He earned the Class 2 Defensive Player of the Year award, and was named to the all-state team. He also excelled at track and field, earning all-state honors in 2005 and 2008. He held the school record in the 400-meter and the 4×100 meter relay, and was part of the current record holding relay team in the 4×400 meter.
“Notre Dame has blessed us with many memorable experiences and friends,” James said. “Lori enjoyed working concessions at many sporting events and serving on the school board. I took one for the team and was the Bingo parent in our family. Sports were a huge part of our time here with soccer, softball, track, and going to state in soccer and track.”
Their late son Michael was also a stellar athlete, graduating from Cape Central High School in 2003 where he excelled in both basketball and football.
In thanksgiving for their children’s experiences and to support future Notre Dame athletes, in 2007 and 2022 the Zimmers made significant commitments to the high school to upgrade the track and field complex, a project near and dear to their hearts.
“I remember the track at the old high school (along Ritter Drive), and it wasn’t exactly the coolest track I’d seen,” James said. “I wanted to see a new track benefitting the new school. Also, I had run track in high school and thought our son, Mark, might like to pursue the sport as he was gifted with some speed. It worked out well as Mark set several records at the school.”
Jeff Graviett, NDHS athletic director, said the Zimmers are responsible for the change in the track’s surface from asphalt to rubber in 2007, and were major donors for the resurfacing and upgrades of the track, including the addition of concrete for field events, in 2022. Graviett calls them a “driving force” behind these enhancements.
“They saw a need and were willing to make it happen,” Garner said.
“James and Lori have stepped up many times in helping us provide one of the top track facilities in the state,” Graviett said. “Because of our beautiful facility and upgrades, we host one of the largest invitationals in the area in March, and have hosted the district tournament here the last two springs. Our track program would not be as successful as it has been, bringing home a final four trophy in girls this past spring for the first time in school history, without the love and support of the Zimmer family.
“It is families like this that make Notre Dame such a wonderful faith filled place, where kids get to excel in many extracurricular activities,” he said.
Garner added, “Every time that I have had an opportunity to talk to James and Lori, I enjoy how easily the conversation flows. James and Lori are as genuine as it gets. They show true humility in how they want to help Notre Dame and the Catholic community. Their humility and generosity have been passed down to their children as well. Whereas, I did not have the opportunity to know Michael, Margaret and Mark have always been just as unassuming and generous with their time and talents. I still recall Margaret’s wit in the classroom while teaching her biology. She would frequently bring a smile to my face with her sense of humor. My memories of Mark are more about his hard work and dedication on the soccer field and track. He was not afraid to put in the extra sacrifice if it was for the betterment of the team.”
After their high school graduations, the Zimmers’ three children went on to Saint Louis University (SLU), where they all earned bachelor’s degrees, with Mark also running track, holding school records in the 200-meter and 4×100 meter relay. Michael continued his educational journey at SLU Law School, earning a juris doctorate, before his passing on May 22, 2010.
James and Lori are members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau and are 1976 graduates of Cape Central High School. James attended elementary school through the fourth grade at St. Joseph School in Cairo, Illinois. When his family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1968, he continued his education at Alma Schrader School, just a few blocks from their home.
Lori, a Newcastle, Wyoming, native, moved to Cape Girardeau in 1963 with her parents and two siblings. She attended the Campus School at Southeast Missouri State University, where her father, Dr. Bill Morgan, was a professor and dean.
After graduating from Cape Central, James went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with majors in English, mathematics and business from Southeast Missouri State University in 1980. Lori earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Southeast, matriculating to Southern Illinois University where she completed certification in behavior disorders, learning disabilities and educable mentally handicapped.
James launched his career in retail as a department manager at Famous Barr in Cape Girardeau’s West Park Mall. But five years later, he gravitated to the family-owned Zimmer Broadcasting, a leader in the radio market in this region for decades. There, he joined two of his brothers as their father, a local radio pioneer, eased into retirement.
“When I started, my focus was on financial and management reporting,” James said. “Shortly thereafter, our company’s growth skyrocketed,” and Zimmer Radio grew from two to 42 radio stations in the Midwest.
In 2006, James and his brothers reorganized the company into three radio groups. Today, James is owner of Zimmer Marketing in Joplin, Missouri, where son Mark serves as general manager. The company operates six radio stations and provides web design, digital solutions and social media management services to its advertisers.
Lori says marrying James is one of the best decisions she ever made, as was joining the Catholic Church 44 years ago when the couple was married.
“I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and family. My faith is extremely important to me and is a huge part of my life,” she said. “It has gotten me through difficult times, when my son Michael died, and when I was given the grim diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. At that time, I was lifted up with prayer from my friends at Notre Dame, my church, St. Vincent’s, and Father Patrick Nwokoye who served as a priest here at Notre Dame, all helping me through my spiritual journey. I am a miracle — five years cancer free and healthy through the grace of God.”
And with that grace, James adds, “We are truly honored” to receive Notre Dame’s 2024 Annunciation Award.