JOHN ZABRODSKY

John Zabrodsky, a 1982 graduate of the University of Rochester and an integral part of the men’s cross country and track & field programs for the past 40 years, will receive the Lysle “Spike” Garnish Memorial Citation from the Department of Athletics & Recreation.

The recipient of multiple letters in both sports and a captain of both teams during his undergraduate days, the 1978 Jamestown High School graduate has been an ardent supporter of the programs since receiving his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1982.

The citation award is presented annually to a faculty member, staff member, or an alumnus for their long-time commitment and support of the intercollegiate athletic program. Plaques of all the previous winners hang in the concourse in Edwin Fauver Stadium. The award is named in honor of Lyle “Spike” Garnish, former trainer and assistant coach at Rochester.

Zabrodsky was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. He earned four letters for track & field and two for cross country. In his junior and senior seasons, Zabrodsky helped Rochester win the regional cross country championship trophy and to book a spot in the NCAA Division III national championship races.

The Yellowjackets finished 10th in 1980 and 17th in 1981 at those back to back national meets. Rochester hosted the 1980 NCAA Division III cross country national championship race at Durand-Eastman Park. It was broadcast live by ESPN, then a fledgling sports network.

Zabrodsky established himself as a premier middle distance runner in track and field. He excelled in the New York State Collegiate Track Conference championship meet. From 1979 to 1982, he finished in the top five in the 800-meter run and the 400-meter run on five different occasions. He won the state championship individual title in the 800-meter race in 1982. Zabrodsky represented Rochester at the IC4A meets outdoor in 1979 for the 4×100 meter relay, indoor 1980 for the distance medley relay, and in 1980 and 1981 for cross country at Van Cortlandt Park. Zabrodsky broke Rochester school records in 11 different events (indoor: 400 meters, 500 meters, 800 meters, 4×400 meter relay, 4×800 meter relay, distance medley relay — metric and imperial — and mile relay; and outdoor: 400 meters — held record for 21 years– 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay).

Zabrodsky earned an M.S. in mechanics and materials engineering from Rutgers University in 1989. He held various positions with Merck & Co., Nabisco, and TRW. He is the founder and managing director of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Inc. since 1989. He holds 15 U.S. and foreign patents and is an author of numerous papers on the topic of manufacturing automation. Zabrodsky is a current member of the University of Rochester Libraries National Council.

His daughter, Abigail ’14 (also in chemical engineering), ’19M won four New York State Collegiate championships in track and field, three in the 4×400 meter relay and one in the 400.