Bill Streets Retires as Goldey-Beacom’s Softball Coach

6/8/2021 12:00:00 AM

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Bill Streets, who helped Goldey-Beacom turn the corner both on the field and in the community, has announced his retirement as the College's softball coach.

"Upon arriving at Goldey-Beacom and learning about our athletic programs, I quickly learned that Bill Streets was 'Mr. Softball' not only in this immediate area but across the state!" GBC President Dr. Colleen Perry Keith said. "He himself played fast-pitch softball and after his playing days ended, he went onto become an effective and respected coach in girls' youth softball – winning multiple state and regional championships. We have been very lucky to have had a gentleman of Bill's caliber associated with our program for so many years here at GBC."

Former Director of Athletics and current Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Chuck Hammond adds, "We want to thank Coach Streets for his many contributions not only to our softball program, but to our entire athletic department. Whether it is his service to our country, our local community or our student-athletes, Coach Streets has spent a lifetime serving others. His retirement leaves a huge void in Goldey-Beacom College athletics. We wish Bill and his wife Deborah the very best."

Streets served 11 seasons with the Lightning and provided many memories. One of them included the 2017 campaign, when the squad closed fifth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and upended Wilmington on day one of the league tournament.

That 2017 squad also notched a 10-2 upset of No. 20 Caldwell for the latter's only conference setback of the year.

Another highlight occurred in 2012, when the unit racked up 22 victories that included 12 league triumphs to fall just one victory shy of reaching the conference tournament. That team also recorded a 10-game winning streak, which remains a school record, that included a sweep of perennial-power East Stroudsburg.

Streets manned the helm when Dianna Gatto won the 2020 CACC Top XVI Award, given to the student-athlete with the best GPA of those teams competing at the final's site. The program twice won the CACC Sportsmanship Award (2016, 2018) and had 36 players make the league's Academic Honor Roll over the last seven years, including at least five in five of those seasons.

"Coach Streets was the type of coach who was always concerned with his student-athletes' well-being and academic progress," reflected Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Bethann Burke. "His teams always performed well academically. Many of his athletes earned academic honors and many have gone on to pursue higher-level degrees upon graduation. Bill always was focused on creating a holistic student-athlete experience for his players. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

For five consecutive years, Streets organized the squad in collecting turkeys and assembling food baskets for the New Castle (DE) County EMS Division Paramedics. The team took to the Wilmington organization at the Ministry of Caring Emmanuel Dining Room helping cheer up needy families and provide gifts for those underprivileged in the county.

"As Head Softball Coach, Bill would tell you that his ultimate goal was to develop young women into the best players, students and community members that they could possibly be," Director of Athletics Dr. Thomas Brennan added. "All of that shined through, year in and year out. His dedication to the student-athletes and the general Athletics program at GBC was heavily impactful."

The team also did work for GBC Cares – the department's community service arm – at the Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington and Toys for Tots. Many of the players also assisted in 2015 with the department's Bras for the Cause and in 2018 with the department's Veterans of The Summit: Stories of Service project. Both of those projects resulted in the College being named a finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence in their respective years, finishing third in 2018.

"We're going to miss having Bill on staff here at GBC," Associate Athletic Director Jeremy Benoit said. "He's a great guy to have around campus and with our young women. Luckily, we know that he won't go far and plans to continue as a fan and friend of the program."

Program alumna Dianna Gatto '19 & '20 added some heartfelt gratitude, saying on behalf of her fellow alumnae, "Thank you Coach Streets for allowing me to play at the collegiate level and for all of the things you taught me along the way. But, more importantly, for treating every single one of us like we were a part of your own family. You have a bigger heart than anyone I know and you would have dropped anything for any of us, on or off the softball field. You were so passionate about everything you did and you wanted the best for everyone around you. Thank you for everything you've done for me, the team and the College. You've definitely left your mark on us all. Congrats on a great career. You will always be part of the Goldey Family."

Bill plans to fill his newfound free time with the people he loves most – his wife Deborah, their three daughters and two grandchildren.

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