1984 MIS Graduate Mike Zang earned the Guinness World Record for most sky dives (500) within 24 hours in 2001.
“Jump (for my love)” was one of the top songs in 1984. MIS Class of 1984 graduate Mike Zang must have taken that song to heart as just 17 years later, he earned a Guinness World Record for making the most sky dives (500) within 24 hours. Not only that, but he is a Boeing 787 pilot with United and owns a landscaping business. Oh, and did we mention that he and his wife Trish have been fixtures at Mary Immaculate School since 2003 sending all four of their children here?
“MIS has high standards and that laid a firm foundation for the rest of my life,” Mike said. “I still use the study skills I learned at MIS when studying for my check rides!”
Mike attended MIS from 1975 until he graduated in 1984. When he returned to MIS as a parent, he coached soccer, basketball, and helped with the Mary Immaculate Dads (MIDs). Trish was a 17-year Room Parent (yes, 17 years), 2008 Auction chair, PTC president, and PTC Vice President. She continues to volunteer at the school even though her children have all graduated.
The Zangs have four children: Abigail Zang Powell (Class of 2012), Nicholas (Class of 2015), Rachel (Class of 2017) and Andrew (Class of 2019).
After leaving MIS, Abigail graduated from JPII High in 2016 and Texas A&M in 2019. She and her husband, Joe Powell, recently delivered their first son (Michael Joseph) who will soon be baptized at Mary Immaculate church. She is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology and plans to move back to Texas so their son can attend MIS.
Nicholas graduated from Jesuit in 2019 and is working toward a degree in Sports Management and business at Texas A&M. He is currently serving as president of the corporation that runs Aggie Bonfire.
Rachel graduated from JPII High earlier this year and currently attends Stephen F. Austin. She found her calling to be an elementary teacher from a very early age because of the love the teachers at MIS show for their students.
While he was still a student at MIS, Andrew began playing hockey at Jesuit, a role he continues today as a junior. He is a honor student and member of National Honor Society there and hopes to play hockey in college.
We know you join with us in congratulating Mike and Trish on their World record, but even more for the great job they’ve done raising an amazing family!
The Zang family: Andrew, Mike, Abigail, Nicholas, Trish and Rachel.