The Zurn Family and the St. Croix Valley lost Scott Zurn early Wednesday morning, October 21 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Scott was the proud father of four children, Aidan, Chloe, Gavin, and Grayson. Aidan played football for the Ponies, graduating in 2015. Gavin is a defensive end and tight end for this year's team, while Grayson is a quarterback and defensive back for the ninth grade. Scott coached almost every down these young men played growing up.

Scott also coached hundreds of young men in youth football, basketball, and baseball. Scott also served the St. Croix Valley Athletic Association as Football Commissioner from 2017-2019. In that time, he was a strong advocate for player safety. Working with SCVAA and the Ponies Touchdown Club and Ponies Head Coach Beau LaBore, Scott was able to make significant improvements to helmets and shoulder pads for youth football players.

In appreciation for his dedication to youth football, the dozens of kids he coached on our team, and solidarity to Gavin and Grayson, the Stillwater Ponies will celebrate Scott Zurn in three ways.

First, we will share a brief message about Scott’s passing before the game followed by a moment of silence.

Second, 4th Down of the Ponies Game Day Program is dedicated to Scott and the Zurn family.

Lastly, all of our players have a Superman S decal displayed on their helmet. Traditionally, these decals were awarded to players who made an impact on the game field. While the tradition of helmet decals has lapsed, there is no better symbol to recognize Scott Zurn’s impact on our program. 

A guiding principle of Stillwater Ponies Football is “giving is receiving.” While Covid-19 has robbed us of many opportunities to give back - youth football camp and outreach, meal packing, nursing home visits, and our food drive - that mindset is still significant. It’s important to be a giver. 

Superheros can be defined in many contexts regardless of age and circumstance, and it is nothing short of heroic when people give extraordinary time and talent to our youth and believe they are the ones receiving. Wearing the Superman S for Scott, allows Ponies football to show gratitude to a committed, caring, and giving man and to reinforce our appreciation for other men and women, like Scott Zurn, who have modeled to the young men of our community that giving truly is receiving.