Willy Miranda, just completed his 23rd season as head coach of the Brandywine High School Bull Dogs. In the last 17 years he has led his field hockey team to the state tournament 16 times, earned six Blue Hen Conference Championships and a state title. He and his program have become synonymous with first-rate Delaware hockey.

Delaware’s field hockey players are fortunate to have sport supporters such as Willy Miranda, who has created opportunities for them to accelerate as athletes. The Turf Bowl was first introduced five years ago, allowing locals players the opportunity to compete on an artificial surface. Eight teams took part in 1999. That number has grown to thirty-one teams this past year. The Turf Bowl players look forward to night games in front of large crowds. But what they anticipate most is the chance to play a college-style game and the opportunity to create a videotape of the performance that will highlight one’s recruiting resume.

Willy has listened to the needs of his players and dedicated his time to the sport of field hockey. The Delaware Women’s Alliance for Sport and Fitness honored Willy Miranda as the Delaware coach who has been an outstanding coach, role model, and mentor for young girls in 2000. Willy came from a history of coaching baseball, basketball, football and swimming, but hockey was new! Since then he has dedicated himself to becoming a student of the game and an excellent coach! Ten years ago he also founded the Brandywine girls’ varsity lacrosse team, bringing that program to excellence, having won three of the four conference championships and finishing last year 17-1. His field hockey and lacrosse players have advanced to play in elite college programs, USFHA Futures, and the AAU Junior Olympics.