CHESTER, Pa. – Former Widener football head coach Bill Zwaan will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philly Sports Writers Association at the 119^th Philly Sports Writers Association (PSWA) Banquet. The event, which will be on Wednesday, Jan. 17, will be hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Zwaan has served in an array of coaching roles in his career. From 2003-23, he was on the sidelines for the West Chester University Golden Rams (Division II). In 20 seasons (excluding 2020, when there were no games due to COVID-19), the Golden Rams had just two losing seasons. West Chester made it all the way to the NCAA Division II Semifinals in 2004 and 2013.

Zwaan was the head coach of the Widener Pioneers from 1997-2002 (before they became the Pride). In Chester, he compiled a 54-14 record (33-6 MAC), including back-to-back undefeated conference records in 2000 and 2001. The Pioneers went to the NCAA DIII Semifinals in 2000.

At the time of his retirement, Zwaan is at the top of multiple lists. He was the winningest active head coach in NCAA Division II. He has the highest winning percentage of any Widener head football coach. And he is the winningest coach at West Chester.

Outside of the gridiron, Zwaan was also a baseball head coach. From 1983-84, he served at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He was the baseball head coach for Widener from 1993-96 before taking over the football program in 1997.

Zwaan, 69, has a wife, Rosemary, and two children, Bill, Jr. and Caroline.

To read the press release from the PSWA, click here.