Wofford’s starting quarterback from 2002-04, Jeff Zolman '05 compiled a career record of 26-6 as a starter.  He led the Terriers to an undefeated conference record and the 2003 Southern Conference football championship - the first in school history. Zolman also guided the Terriers to two postseason wins in 2003 and the national semifinals of the Football Championship Subdivision. He currently resides in Rye, New York. He met his wife, Lydia, in Philadelphia where they were in the same class at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. They have two amazing daughters: Isabelle (3½ years old) and Morgan (6 months old).    

How did you decide to attend Wofford?

Being able to play college football was a childhood dream and I was fortunate to choose amongst a number of well-respected institutions. I ultimately chose Wofford because it was the perfect intersection of academics and athletics. As soon as I finished my official visit, I knew Wofford was where I wanted to spend my collegiate years. 

What is your favorite Wofford memory?

While there were so many great memories from my days at Wofford, one of my favorites was the tradition of frequenting Monterrey’s Mexican Restaurant every Wednesday night with my teammates. It was a great time every week and I bonded with the guys off the field over the best chips and salsa (and maybe a cold beer or two).

What is your favorite Wofford football memory?

When I close my eyes, I can still see a packed Paulson Stadium and hear the roar of more than 20,000 fans chanting “GEORGIA…SOUTHERN” as we walked out of the locker room in Statesboro.  As our team took to the field, I noticed a large gathering of fans pointing at something.  This was my first time at that stadium, and when I followed those fans’ gazes, I saw the flags of six national championships flying proudly. The fans were making a statement that they were unbeatable.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter of that game, and we were on the wrong end of a 7-6 score. Their team had won 29 consecutive home games and last dropped a league contest on Nov. 2, 1996 to East Tennessee State.  It was 3rd & 13 from our 16-yard line and we were in desperate need of a first down to preserve any hope of victory.  Our offensive line gave me great protection, and I threw a pass to Isaac Goodpaster for 20 yards that kept the drive alive.  A few plays later, we ran an option to the left.  Their defensive back made a slight mistake in his angle of attack, and I was able to maneuver past him for a 54-yard run to the Eagles’ 3-yard line, setting up the game-winning score by Jesse McCoy.

Winning this game against an opponent like Georgia Southern felt like a turning point for the Wofford program.  We started to believe in ourselves and knew that we could compete with anybody.

Do you have a favorite Wofford professor or mentor that impacted you?

While I had a number of great professors at Wofford, two stand out in terms of their lasting impact upon my life: Dr. González and Dr. Machovec.

Dr. González taught me accounting. The subject has wound up constituting the foundation for my professional life’s work.  My roommate, Jon Wheeler, nicknamed her “Speedy G” out of admiration for how quickly she could recite any accounting rule!

Dr. Machovec helped me to perceive matters in a different light – he enjoyed presenting contrarian viewpoints, but always substantiated them with legitimate data. He was also very demanding and pushed his students to strive for excellence at every turn.

Could you tell us a little about what you are doing now and your career path?

My career was launched through the complementary paths of investment banking and private equity. Through my years of working on Wall Street – having experienced the booms and busts – I learned how to be an astute and resilient investor.  Since moving on from private equity, I’ve focused my professional work on investing in the public markets. I’ve taken those skills and now invest in Technology, Media, and Telecom stocks.

I currently work at Millennium Management, a global investment management firm that manages more than $45 billion in assets.

What piece of advice would you give to current Wofford student-athletes?

The same advice that I offer my two daughters (unsolicited, of course) every day – never give up!

I believe my growth as a person has been defined by my persistence. While my success will continue to be driven in large part by tactical thinking, the resolve to overcome the almost-inevitable element of adversity is equally critical. I have made a conscious effort to shape situations instead of letting them shape me.