SELINSGROVE, PA – Former Susquehanna University All-Conference offensive lineman Randy Zook died Wednesday night at Penn State Hershey Medical Center from cancer. He was 23.

Zook (Belleville, PA/Indian Valley H.S.), a 6-5, 260-pound left tackle, was a three-year starter for the Crusaders from 1998 through 2000 and was a Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth League first-team All-Star in each of those seasons. Zook also earned D3football.com honorable mention All-American honors in 1999.

He was a two-time Football Gazette South Region first-team selection and earned Lutheran Brotherhood Lutheran College honorable mention All-American status in both 1999 and 2000.

“In my entire professional and personal life, I have not been crushed more than the news regarding Randy,” said Susquehanna head coach Steve Briggs. “The entire football family is devastated, to say the least. He was a dream to coach, and all he did was work hard and try to get better every day. He ended up as one of the best players we have ever had.”

Following his senior season, Zook was recognized as the Middle Atlantic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year by the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Touchdown Club, and was also chosen as an honorable mention All-American by Hewlett-Packard.

He was a tri-captain of the 2000 Crusader football squad, and during his four seasons the team posted a 26-13 record while sharing the Commonwealth League title in 1998 and winning it outright in 1999.

In 1998, Zook was the first recipient of the newly-renamed Bob Pittello Offensive Lineman of the Year Award, presented in honor of the former Crusader grid standout and longtime assistant coach.

A 2001 graduate of Susquehanna with a bachelor of arts degree in communications, Zook is survived by his parents, Raymond and Joann Zook of Belleville, and a sister, Marci, of Burnham.

He was a case worker for Mifflin County Children and Youth and an Indian Valley junior high football coach.

His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Locust Grove Mennonite, Belleville, with Pastor Greg Kanagy and the Rev. J. Max Zook officiating. Interment will be in Locust Grove Cemetery.

Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Friday at Locust Grove Mennonite Church and from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Mifflin-Juniata Unit, P.O. Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033, or Heroin Task Group, c/o PULSE Program, 68 Chestnut St., Lewistown, PA 17044.