Zachary "Zallen" Allen

On June 15th, 2022, Zachary “Zallen” Allen tragically lost his life in a vehicular accident. Throughout his life, Zachary had the unique ability to light up a room with his sense of humor and vibrant personality — a feeling so palpable to everyone around him. In quieter moments, he found immense joy in doing puzzles. Each completed puzzle was a testament to his determination to see things through — a trait that perfectly mirrored his outlook on life. Zachary was also an avid sports fan, cheering on the Giants, Rangers, and Knicks. Yet, amidst his love for football, hockey, and basketball, there was a special place in his heart for the New York Mets and the game of baseball. As a baseball player himself, Zachary epitomized the spirit of the game — a love that naturally carried over to playing softball with friends as the years went by.

Two of his closest friends, Alex Ducorsky and Jake Manyin, started the Zachary Allen Classic in 2023 to honor Zachary’s life and bring the community together to participate in one of the things he loved most — playing softball. In its first year, the tournament raised over $16,000 from donations, raffles, and team registrations. With this tremendous outpouring of support, the Zachary “Zallen” Allen Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at his alma mater, Oceanside High School. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to two students who have a GPA of 90 or above, embody an exuberant and ambitious spirit, and plan to attend a four-year SUNY college, just as Zachary did.

Now three years in, the Zachary Allen Classic has grown into a true community tradition — with over 150 players coming out each summer to represent and honor Zach. The number 3 has become synonymous with him — it was his favorite number, the one he proudly wore on his jersey, and the number that every player wears on tournament day in his memory. The event continues to grow in size and spirit, with 102.3 WBAB even joining the festivities in the tournament’s third year. That same year delivered one of the most memorable moments yet, as the team made up of Zach’s closest friends, Team Of Squad, battled back in both the semifinal and the championship games to capture the title — winning in two of the most exciting and emotional games in tournament history. Read the full story here.

The Zallen Scholarship Fund is a registered 501(c)(3).