Andrusyshyn received a track and field scholarship from UCLA to compete in the javelin throw, but suffered an elbow injury while preparing for the 1968 Summer Olympics and decided to walk-on to the football team after kicking in a tryout 14 field goals in a row from 45 yards out.[5] In one practice he kicked field goals of 57 and 62 yards.[6] Andrusyshyn was used both as a punter and placekicker.
As a sophomore, he led the NCAA in punting with a 44.2 average and also made 11 of 24 field goal attempts. Against the University of Southern California in a contest that was called "the game of the century", he missed one field goal, had two blocked, and failed a critical extra point that gave them the victory and the eventual 1967 National championship.[7] Then USC head coach John McKay, remarked that "Andrusyshyn kicks with low leverage," and that is why he employed 6-foot-8 offensive tackleBill Hayhoe to affect his kicking game.[citation needed]
As a senior, he made 8 of 12 field goals, 33 of 44 extra points and had a 42.1-yard punting average. He was a two-time All-American punter (1967, 1969) and was voted to UCLA's All Century Team.[citation needed]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Andrusyshyn was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the ninth round (231st overall) of the 1970 NFL draft.[8] He was waived before the start of the season on September 2.[9]
On April 14, 1978, he signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.[11] He was named the team's starting punter, registering 79 punts for 3,247 yards (41.1-yard avg.), a long of 61 yards and one blocked punt. On August 21, 1979, he was waived after being passed on the depth chart by Bob Grupp.[12]
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
On September 7, 1979, he was signed as a free agent by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.[13] He appeared in the last 8 games handling both the punting and kicking roles. He made 10 of 20 field goals, 15 of 16 extra points and averaged 43.2 yards on 51 punts. On June 15, 1980, he was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for offensive lineman Al MacLean.[14]
Toronto Argonauts (second stint)
In 1980, he was named the starting kicker and punter over Ian Sunter. He was named CFL East All-Star in two straight seasons. On September 14, 1980, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he kicked a career-longest 57-yard field goal.[15] He was passed on the depth chart by Dean Dorsey and was released in September 1982.[citation needed]
Edmonton Eskimos
In September 1982, he was claimed off waivers by the Edmonton Eskimos to replace Hank Ilesic, unavailable due to a contract dispute.[16]
Andrusyshyn was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Tampa Area Director from March 1987, completing 20 years with FCA in 2007. In October 2007, Zenon Andrusyshyn formed his own ministry with his wife Sue. Known as Zenon Ministries Inc., it is a 501(c)(3) non-profit youth ministry. Andrusyshyn has been on over 15 mission trips which include delivering medical supplies to Cuna Indians- Panama (three times), to Cancer Hospitals for Children in Kyiv and Odesa, Ukraine (four times), Missions abroad in England (three times), Germany (three times) and Mexico (three times). He served as Youth Chairman for the Billy Graham Crusade-1998 Tampa, Florida, and as Youth Chairman for Luis Palau's TampaBayFest 2007.[citation needed]
Zenon Andrusyshyn died on August 7, 2023, at the age of 76.[20]
