2008 Woodie Awards
Coach Zwaan keeping program on top
Michael S. Miller Jr.
Issue date: 2/21/05 Section: Athletics
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There is feeling of excitement around Golden Rams football. As fans and alumni wait in anticipation through the off-season for kickoff in the fall, they can be assured that the program is on the rise. Last season West Chester head football coach, Bill Zwaan, led the Golden Rams to the NCAA Division II semi-finals in just the second year of his tenure here at West Chester. The Rams had a landmark season in 2004. They went 11- 4 and clinched the PSAC East division on Oct. 30, beating the Bloomsburg Huskies 35-24. The Rams hosted their first playoff game since 1992 when they defeated Long Island University C.W. Post 35-3 at Farrell stadium. The Rams continued their playoff run beating Shippensburg 33-28 and East Stroudsburg 48-38.
Both games were away which was nothing new to the Rams in 2004, who hosted only five home games and played 10 away. The playoff run came to end when they fell at Valdosta St. 45-21 in the Division II Semi-finals after the Blazers came out to a 31-7 halftime lead. The Rams expect to pick up right where they left off in 2005. "[The kids] are really motivated [in the off-season]," said Zwaan.
"They got to play some of the best teams in the country and the eventual national champion. Our winter workouts have been better than ever, the kids are working as hard as I could ask them to," he said. Zwaan was selected as PSAC Coach of the Year for 2004, while 14 of his players earned All-Conference honors. Zwaan had previously head coached for six seasons at Division III Widener, leading the Pioneers to three straight Middle Atlantic Conference Championships.
Zwaan led the Pioneers to the Division III National Semifinals in 2000 and the Quarterfinals in 2001. Zwaan took over as head coach of the Rams in February, 2003. "I think that there is a positive energy here, they were looking for positive enthusiasm. When somebody comes from a winning program, the players listen to that guy right away," said Zwaan. "[The transition] was a lot easier than I had expected.
Both games were away which was nothing new to the Rams in 2004, who hosted only five home games and played 10 away. The playoff run came to end when they fell at Valdosta St. 45-21 in the Division II Semi-finals after the Blazers came out to a 31-7 halftime lead. The Rams expect to pick up right where they left off in 2005. "[The kids] are really motivated [in the off-season]," said Zwaan.
"They got to play some of the best teams in the country and the eventual national champion. Our winter workouts have been better than ever, the kids are working as hard as I could ask them to," he said. Zwaan was selected as PSAC Coach of the Year for 2004, while 14 of his players earned All-Conference honors. Zwaan had previously head coached for six seasons at Division III Widener, leading the Pioneers to three straight Middle Atlantic Conference Championships.
Zwaan led the Pioneers to the Division III National Semifinals in 2000 and the Quarterfinals in 2001. Zwaan took over as head coach of the Rams in February, 2003. "I think that there is a positive energy here, they were looking for positive enthusiasm. When somebody comes from a winning program, the players listen to that guy right away," said Zwaan. "[The transition] was a lot easier than I had expected.
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