Roe Bianchini became a member of William Penn High School’s (WPHS) faculty in 1969. After 26 years as the winning field hockey and softball coach at WPHS she was inducted into the Delaware Hall of Fame.
In 2015, she was inducted into William Penn’s Hall of Fame.
Under Bianchini’s leadership, the field hockey team won State Championships in 1988 and 1994 (undefeated both years) and softball State Championships in 1986, 1988, and 1989. The field hockey team also won 10 Blue Hen Conference field hockey titles and 18 titles in softball.
The News Journal named Bianchini Coach of the Year in 1988-89, and she was selected by national organizations as Delaware’s Most Outstanding Coach in 1989. Bianchini was instrumental in starting the High School Coaches Associations for softball and hockey and chaired them for 14 years while serving as the Regional Representative for the U.S. Field Hockey Association High School All-American program for four years.
Five of Bianchini’s softball players earned All-American Honors at what was then called Wilmington College; 10 of her field hockey players received scholarships to play for Division I colleges.
As a former health teacher, Physical Education Department Chairperson, and coach at WPHS, Bianchini inspired students to strive for greatness. She encouraged students to work together on and off the field and always stressed the importance of academic success. #womenshistorymonth2021 #netde #powerofwecsd