In 2009 Erika DeSanty began her head coaching career at Williams and each season since the program has experienced steady improvement.

DeSanty’s first season at the helm was record breaking as the team posted their lowest single-day team total (314) and their lowest final team total (628). Their season ended with the program’s finest NCAA Championship finish (seventh place). In her second season, DeSanty again led the Ephs to the NCAA Championships. Along the way the team set records for most wins (6), number of consecutive wins (4), and most medalists (5). As a result DeSanty was named the NGCA’s East Region Coach of the Year and honored locally with the Frank Zoltek Passion for Coaching Award.

In DeSanty’s third season the Ephs quickly reestablished themselves as a top contender in New England. Through the fall the team was undefeated, winning five events, including the 2011 NESCAC Tournament. The Ephs closed their season with a historic run at the NCAA Championship. In four days of competition the team posted the lowest score of any team twice (Day 1 – 307; Day 3 – 309). They entered the final day only seven strokes behind the leader. While the Ephs ultimately finished fifth they experienced the excitement of leading the Championship and showcased their ability to compete with the best teams in the country.  

Four players under DeSanty have earned Regional honors and four players have been named to the NGCA Scholar Athlete team. The program has also had four players finish in the top-25 at the NCAA Championships against a field of more than 100 participants. Additionally, Georgiana Salant ’14 became the program’s first All-American following a successful 2010-2011 season.

During the off-season DeSanty continues to develop professionally as a student and teacher of the game. As a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals she attends national education workshops and teaches at The Lesson Tee at Waubeeka Golf Links, located in Williamstown, MA. She began her teaching with eduKaytion golf under the esteemed PGA Professional and LPGA Hall of Fame Member, Kay McMahon.

A local standout, named Western Mass Division II MVP after Drury High School’s women’s basketball team won the Western Mass title in 2001, DeSanty went on to a successful collegiate career at Colby-Sawyer College. While at Colby-Sawyer, she was a four-year starting point guard and two-year captain for the women’s basketball team. In her senior season she set the all-time record for assists and was named MVP as the Chargers won the conference championship and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

DeSanty graduated from Colby-Sawyer in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences with a concentration in Sport Management and from Elmira College in 2007 with a Master of Science degree in Education.