Judie Zundell Bids Hamden Hall a Fond Farewell

When Judie Zundell launched her career at Hamden Hall in 1973, she said that joining our school community was one of the best decisions she ever made.

“In many ways, I grew up here,” Judie said, whose tenure spanned 45 years. “And Hamden Hall was—and still is—one of the best parts of my life. It’s one of the best things that ever happened to me. Wonderful people. Good friends. Great students.”

Judie worked three years when she first started at Hamden Hall, took a three-year break in 1976, and returned in 1979 to the present. During her tenure, Judie taught physical education, coached four sports in Middle and Upper School, and was director of our Summer Camps. She was also instrumental in our school's extended day and community service programs and is credited with establishing the annual Stuff-a-Bus.

Judie grew up in Springfield, Mass., and went to college at the University of Miami in Florida. Although women’s sports were not as organized as they are today, Judie was an athlete all of her life. So when she was hired at Hamden Hall, she eagerly embraced the opportunity to coach basketball, tennis, softball, and field hockey—the latter being her favorite.

“What I liked most about coaching was teaching the girls how to play a sport that they had no experience playing,” Judie said. “It was challenging and fun to watch them learn how a game was played.”

She quipped that she also got a kick out of watching the parents—“moms” especially—learn the rules and ropes of a particular game.

Beyond schooling her players on the techniques of a sport, Judie said that teaching teamwork was even more important.

“I would stress to them that they had to leave their individual personalities on the sidelines—who they liked and who they didn’t,” Judie said. “I insisted that all the girls on any given team learn how to play as a team. And without fail, by the end of the season, the girls were always one solidified group—a team of friends.”

 

Head of School Bob Izzo noted that Judie's love of sports and our students made her an ideal physical education teacher and coach.

“Judie’s leadership made an impact on nearly three decades of athletes in four sports, and she helped build a strong foundation of athletic excellence for our girls and young women,” Mr. Izzo said. “However, Judie's impact at Hamden Hall goes beyond just athletics. Her leadership of the Hamden Hall Summer Camp for many years was exemplary.  We extend our warmest wishes to Judie in her retirement.”

In the next chapter of her life, Judie plans to remain part of our school community as a devoted sports fan. And she’ll also be involved in the life of the school as her husband of 44 years, Bruce Zundell, remains on our science faculty (and Bruce sweetly notes that come August, they’ll celebrate their 45^th!).

Judie and Bruce have two Hamden Hall alumni children. Lewis is Class of 1993 and Jaclyn “Jaxi” graduated in the Class 2003. Judie and Bruce have two granddaughters, Kai, 12, and Nyla, 10.

Judie said that throughout the years, Hamden Hall has always been her family’s extended family—taking note of their close-knit relationship with our legendary faculty member Ernie Russ who died in 2016 after a 70-year career at Hamden Hall. When Ernie died at age 96, Judie said the entire Zundell Family lost a good friend.

Judie recalled that earlier in her career, she would join Ernie and former Athletic Director Jim Bean as a chaperone on student camping trips to Cape Cod during the summer.

“We’d sleep in tents overlooking the water and cook over campfires,” Judie said. “We’d teach the kids how to get along when they were away from home, and we always had a lot of fun. When I think of those trips and the other summer camps I directed at Hamden Hall over the years, I think of just that—having fun. And every time I think about Hamden Hall, I smile. Because at Hamden Hall, everything comes from the heart.”