Tristan Zaia

Exemplary service contributor to growth of lacrosse, enthusiastic post-collegiate club organizer, coach and promoter, active promoter of boys’ and youth lacrosse in Montgomery County, Georgia Tech graduate, lacrosse captain and defensive stalwart, counselor and friend to upcoming players, committed activist for college lacrosse trophy and inner city lacrosse.

If there is one hallmark characteristic of Tristan Zaia’s involvement with lacrosse, it is his selfless service to the sport and its participants.

Growing up in Washington, DC, Tristan Zaia had to leave this area to become familiar with the sport he has tirelessly promoted ever since. He first picked up a lacrosse stick at Georgia Tech, where he quickly became a defensive leader of the Ramblin’ Wreck and served as team captain as a senior.

Returning to DC metropolitan area to work for the Department of the Navy, Tristan continued his playing career with several post-collegiate clubs including Invisible Fence (Fairfax) and Garretts (Georgetown). He eventually founded and then served as head coach, president and general manager of T-Bones (Bethesda) and Capital Lacrosse Clubs. He established an affiliation with the University Club of Washington, DC for the USCLA member Capital LC.

At the same time he was managing these club teams, Tristan also assisted at Gonzaga High School, and helped to coach championship teams at Walt Whitman High School and at the St. Peter’s Olney youth program. In addition, he has regularly engaged his club team members in youth clinics throughout the region.

Tristan also helped to coach the German national team at the 1998 World Games in Baltimore. He has served on the non-profit boards of the Tewaaraton Trophy Foundation and WINNERS’ Lacrosse. He has freely given his time and worn out his Rolodex in support of worthy lacrosse causes.

There are few aspects of lacrosse in the region that Tristan has not positively affected. He shares his passion for lacrosse with Sarah Aschenbach, a special admirer. Tristan resides in Washington, DC.