Dear Alumni, Parents, and Eph Fans,
Students are on campus and the leaves are turning, but that is about where the resemblance to last fall ends– what a difference a year makes! 
As you well know, Williams continues to engage our students and deliver a world-class education, but all of our methods have changed. That’s even more true in the realm of athletics.
Our department spent the summer reimagining athletics and trying to answer the question, “What can we do?” While there is no fall (and, as President Mandel announced last week, no winter) competition, we are still practicing and training–gathering according to all safety guidelines–to support the physical and emotional well-being of our athletes. I can tell you there are lots of smiling faces under masks! Our coaches and students are thrilled to be back together training even under the current constraints.
We have moved all activity outdoors, as that is the safest place to be–indoor facilities are currently not open. 
We redirected some of our resources to rent tents, purchase PPE, and to outfit outdoor venues with relocated and new equipment. The most noticeable changes are a new outdoor basketball/volleyball court and netting system behind Mission Park and our weight training center in a tent on the visitor side of Farley-Lamb Field. Click here to view a slideshow of these modified facilities.
To increase recreation opportunities for the entire student body coaches increased their teaching load to support expanded our physical education offerings. We are pleased to have the largest number of students enrolled in PE classes ever, both in-person and remote.
Our students and coaches are actively involved in assessing how our department can build a more inclusive and anti-racist enterprise. We are joining with the NESCAC to build programming that both educates and supports our student-athletes, coaches, and staff members.
This past spring we were delighted to welcome Sarah Raymond as our head women’s soccer coach. Sarah is an internationally recognized player and an accomplished coach. We couldn’t be more pleased to have her as a part of our department.
I am not sure when we will be able to gather again to enjoy a competition or a tailgate, but until then you are never far from our hearts. We miss you and cannot wait to welcome you back to Williamstown.
Until then, stay safe,
Lisa
_________________
Lisa Melendy
Director of Athletics
