DEFRANCIS HONORED — The brand new softball area at Weir Excessive College has been devoted and named for retired trainer and softball coach Roberta “Birdie” DeFrancis of Weirton. With DeFrancis, heart, for the announcement are, from left, Weir Excessive Head Ted Arneault, Crystal Hawkins, Patricia DeFrancis, Roberta Taylor, Robert DeFrancis, Hancock County Colleges Superintendent Dan Enich, JoLynn Mark, Kathi Mark Eastham , Bonnie Block , Jessica Sosenko Lamp, Kim Snyder and Joyce Znoy. — Contributed
WEIRTON – When Weir Excessive's softball crew begins its season, its dwelling area will bear the title of a longtime coach.
As a part of its Feb. 12 assembly, the Hancock County Board of Schooling accredited a advice to call the sector, positioned close to the varsity's campus entrance, in honor of former coach Roberta “Birdie” DeFrancis.
An preliminary announcement was made throughout the metropolis's boys championship basketball recreation on Jan. 27, Superintendent Dan Enich known as DeFrancis a “Sport Changer” after which introduced the honour.
“Miss. DeFrancis was actually moved; very shocked,” Enich mentioned throughout the current college board assembly. “She deserves it.”
The sector was constructed final 12 months on an space as soon as used as the varsity's north car parking zone, with the mission reaching substantial completion simply in time for the beginning of the 2023 softball season.
DeFrancis is a graduate of Follansbee Excessive College and West Liberty College who started her skilled profession at Weir Excessive College within the early 1970s. When the varsity launched its softball program in 1975, DeFrancis was named its first head coach, main the crew's inaugural 6-Three document.
Underneath her tutelage, the softball crew would win its first state championship in 1982.
She would take a hiatus from teaching between 1991 and 1994, returning to information the crew again to a second state championship that 12 months. An OVAC championship adopted in 1996, with the crew successful a regional championship in 1997. It was DeFrancis' 20th and last 12 months on the helm of the crew.
Though now not teaching, DeFrancis would proceed his instructional profession till his retirement in 2012.
In a letter to the editor printed Sunday, DeFrancis mentioned she by no means anticipated such a legacy and was completely satisfied to see her and the softball crew's accomplishments acknowledged by Hancock County faculties.
“I used to be lucky to teach proficient feminine athletes at a time when ladies' sports activities have been typically neglected,” she wrote. “Clearly, that has modified, and Hancock County faculties are a shining instance. I’m so completely satisfied to have my title connected to Weir Excessive College's dedication to girls in sports activities. My heartfelt because of all.”
A number of of DeFrancis' former college students and gamers have been readily available for the announcement, internet hosting a reception for her after town championship recreation and posting an indication naming the sector for her on its fence.
It’s the second such honor introduced by the varsity district prior to now 12 months. In August, Enich introduced that the Discipline of Desires complicated at Oak Glen Excessive College, which incorporates the varsity's baseball and softball fields, can be named after former Superintendent Suzan Smith.