Blue Angels Feature Former A&M Player
HOUSTON – The Blue Angels, the precision team of Navy and Marine Corps pilots, will be making a flyover of Houston on Wednesday and the squadron will have an MCLA flavor to it.
Marine Corps Major Frank Zastoupil, a defenseman for Texas A&M from 2006-09, will be one of the members of the Blue Angels that is honoring the first responders and essential workers in Houston.
Zastoupil was a solid player for the Aggies during his career, and exploded his senior of ’09, grabbing 37 ground balls and tacking on a pair of goals for Tony Scazzero’s program.
“I loved the culture that A&M and Aggieland had,” Zastoupil told The Eagle in 2019 when he was chosen for the Blue Angels. “A&M and the mentors I had there helped me every step of the way.”
In Zastoupil’s four years, A&M went 46-25 and earned trips to nationals in 2007 and 2008.
"Frank came to A&M in 2006, started all four years and grew to be a standout defenseman," said Scazzero. "He was blessed to play with great teammates. We were fortunate at that time to have Ryan Hanrahan as our defensive coordinator/assistant coach.
"Ryan was an LSM and defensive midfielder at West Point and a team captain there, and he taught the Army system to our defense. Frank was a sponge and took his game up several levels at A&M. He developed into a tremendous off-ball player through practice combined with a tireless work ethic. I'm glad to hear from Frank every season asking how the team looks and wishing the Aggies well. We are so proud of his accomplishments."
Major Zastoupil is a Kingwood, Texas, product and graduated from Kingwood High School before matriculating at Texas A&M.
During his time as a Marine Corps pilot, he has earned three Strike Fighter Air Medals, one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and various personal and unit awards.