By Alexandra Gargon (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Family support is important to Deborah Windett, Wesley’s new women’s lacrosse coach.

Deborah Windett, Wesley’s new women’s lacrosse coach

Deborah Windett, Wesley’s new women’s lacrosse coach The Whetstone / Cochise Lucas

“Many parents are at every game, home and on the road,” Windett said. “That means a lot to the team.”

Windett and her husband have been married for 31 years, and their three children are all involved in athletics.

“We have spent much time following our kids and their athletic endeavors, or coaching teams at a variety of levels,” she said.

Windett’s daughter Kate, a senior at the University of Delaware, coached field hockey at Tower Hill School, and is also involved with Windett’s program as a coach, which gives them a chance to travel together.

Windett has two sons. Adam, who used to coach at Caeser Rodney High School with Windett, is now an attorney in Dover; and Jason, who formerly played college lacrosse, is a third year doctoral student at UNC- Chapel Hill.

Together, Windett and her husband, the athletic director at St. Thomas Moore Prep, are involved with sports. They own the First State Diamonds, a travel hockey program.

“We take teams to the USFHA Hockey Festival every year,” Windett said. “We have three travel teams that play from November until March.”

Windett and her husband also present clinics in the local elementary schools and run summer camps in both hockey and lacrosse.

When the Windetts aren’t coaching sports teams, they’re outside.

“We love the beach and fishing,” she said. “We take a family vacation to Hatteras (North Carolina) every summer to relax on the beach.”

A native of Delaware, Windett grew up in Georgetown, graduating from Sussex Central High School.

After teaching at her alma mater for 21 years, Windett taught physical education and health at Caesar Rodney for 12 years, and coached field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, soccer and tennis.

“I loved my job at Caesar Rodney, but [Wesley] was just a great chance to try something else,” Windett said.

The athletes on her team are the favorite part of her new job.

“My team has made me feel so welcome,” Windett said. “They come to practice every day excited to learn and be part of a team. This is what makes it so special!”

Students are excited to have her as their coach.

“Everyone on the team is very appreciative of her coming to Wesley this year,” said Alyssa Prudente.

Other faculty members and her two assistants, Jade Martin and Amanda Browning, have made the transition easier, she said.

“She is a great coach and has really turned the team around,” Martin said. “She is the type of coach you can sit down and talk to and not be afraid to give your opinion.”

Windett appreciates all of the support she has received.

“They are willing to help in any way and have answered my tons of questions,” Windett said. “I knew many of the coaches before, but they have all made me feel so welcome.”