When Tucker first stepped into a Special Olympics Club meeting as a freshman, he didn’t know it would shape his entire college experience.
“A teammate, Ben Held, invited me,” he said. “I met the athletes, saw the joy, and was hooked immediately. I knew this was something I wanted to be part of for as long as I’m here.”
That simple invitation sparked a passion that has defined Tucker’s time at Carroll. Today, he serves as co-president of the Special Olympics Club and a driving force behind the Helena Halos, Carroll’s unified sports team, where students and Special Olympics athletes compete side by side.
Through his work with the Halos, Tucker found a new perspective on what it means to compete.
“As student-athletes, it’s easy to get caught up in wins and losses,” he said. “But the Halos reminded me to bring fun back into it…to laugh, celebrate, and uplift others.”
He practices weekly with the team, helping run basketball, bowling, soccer, and track and field sessions throughout the year. For Tucker, these moments have become just as meaningful as game day.
“My favorite memory was our first Polar Plunge,” he laughed. “We dressed up as food, I was a banana, and jumped into a frozen pond. Everyone was freezing but smiling. It was pure joy.”
As a leader in both athletics and service, Tucker bridges two communities that might not otherwise connect. When the Halos need volunteers, he recruits classmates and teammates, reminding them that showing up is what matters most.
“I’ve learned to make sure everyone understands their role, that everything is communicated, and there’s no ambiguity,” he said. “That applies on the field, too.”
His leadership philosophy mirrors the NAIA’s mission of character-driven competition: respect, teamwork, and humility in every arena.
From his Halos teammates, Tucker says he’s learned to appreciate the process of building something bigger than himself.
“I’ve found a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a team,” he said. “It’s about doing something greater than yourself and helping those around you.”
Those lessons will travel with him well beyond Carroll’s campus. After graduation, Tucker plans to accept his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps – a new kind of team, built on the same principles of service, communication, and unity.
Tucker Zanto embodies The Right Way to Play: he competes fiercely, leads humbly, and serves wholeheartedly. Whether suited up for Carroll football or organizing a unified track meet, he’s building bridges that last far longer than any season.
“Playing the right way,” he said, “means being the ultimate teammate—lifting others, giving your best, and showing great sportsmanship no matter the outcome.”
In every role he steps into – athlete, volunteer, or mentor – Tucker embodies servant leadership, one of the core Champions of Character® values. He leads by lifting others and reminding us that when service is at the center, the game becomes bigger than us because this is The Right Way to Play.
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