AOP Spotlight Series: Bill Zwaan, Archbishop Carroll - Class of 1972
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A new feature to the website, the Spotlight Series will include interviews with former AOP student-athletes who continued their athletic participation in one form or another after high school.
Bill Zwaan, Archbishop Carroll (
Class of 1972) 
- Led Archbishop Carroll to a comeback win over Frankford (15-14) in the 1971 Football City Championship at Franklin Field
- 1971 first-team All-Catholic selection (QB) and Southern Division MVP
University of Delaware
- Led the Blue Hens to the 1974 Division II National Championship game
- Earned his bachelor's degree in Marketing Management in 1979
Football
Head Coaching Career
- 54-14 in six seasons (1997-02) at Widener
- Three-time MAC Champions; Two-time MAC Coach of the Year
- 144-62 in 17 seasons at West Chester (2003-current)
- Five-time PSAC East Coach of the Year
- Led the Golden Rams to the NCAA Division II Semifinals in both 2004 & 2013
What makes Archbishop Carroll such a special place?
“The great thing about Carroll when I was there was the people who ran the school were very caring people about their students. The atmosphere was like a private school as far as getting an education was concerned. Of course when I was there we were just starting [as a school], so it was kind of exciting from a historical standpoint. The fact that you were in a school that was just starting, and in all these new leagues from a sports standpoint. So it was kind of refreshing to be in a new school as they were learning how to do things, and we were learning along with them.”
Your fond memories as a student-athlete at Carroll:
“Obviously the [1971 Football] City Championship was the fondest memory. That particular season, a lot of great games and fun memories from some exciting wins. And winning the City Championship…which back then we were such a young school and we really hadn’t had that kind of success until that year. That’s by far the fondest memory. Other memories of some not so great, as we sort of worked thru playing without seniors when I first got there, and then being kind of the doormat of the league. For a couple years we took some tough hits. But eventually it led to great memories and great excitement.”
How much does playing football in the Philadelphia Catholic League prepare student-athletes for competing at a high level in college?
“Back when I played, the Catholic League was much bigger and had a lot more athletes, and was really, really competitive back then. So it definitely prepared you for college. You were playing against some of the best athletes in the city. The competition between teams was excellent. Every week was a big game and you had to be prepared for it. Its changed some over the years. It’s not quite as competitive as it was back then. It still is very good. The coaching staffs are still extremely strong, the competition between teams and the rivalries makes the preparation for each game really important. And it’s still a really good place for kids to develop. And you are really getting student-athletes. So that’s the one big piece. You’re getting kids who are pretty strong academically in most cases, and pretty good athletes. So even though it has changed over the years, it’s still a pretty great breeding ground for college student-athletes."
On your program's involvement in so many important initiatives such as Bone Marrow and Autism:
"West Chester in general, our football team in particular, has always been involved with a lot of different organizations that help the community. The [Be The Match] Bone Marrow Program we do thru [former Villanova head coach] Andy Talley. Autism…my nephew has autism, so it’s kind of a personal thing for me. Our kids got involved in it, our program, parents, fans got involved. We do a Christmas thing for homeless kids at West Chester, which has really grown also. So we want to be involved with the community, which is very much involved with us in terms of fan support and the excitement of the games. From a West Chester student-athlete standpoint, we want to be involved in the community, and luckily we have been. The really neat piece of this has been watching our kids grow as far as their involvement is concerned.”
On the unique opportunity to coach alongside your son:
"One thing about coaching as a profession is you’re able to get your family involved. I look at my grandkids, they all have their West Chester gear on every week for the games. My wife, my kids, my in-laws...your whole family gets involved and is a part of it. My son [Bill Jr.] used to come to practices for years and years. Now of course he’s coaching with me [as offensive coordinator]. We have discussions and may disagree about a play call or how we’re gonna approach a certain thing, like you would normally. But the great thing about it…it was great to have him around and coach him, and now to have him as a coach with me.”
Previous AOP Spotlights
Ryan Quigley, Lansdale Catholic (Class of 2016)
Denise Dillon, Cardinal O'Hara (Class of 1992)
Chris Mooney, Archbishop Ryan (Class of 1990)
Marc Jackson, Roman (Class of 1993)
Cindy Anderson Griffin, Bishop McDevitt (Class of 1987)
Ryan McNulty, Bishop Shanahan (Class of 2016)