Alison Swain ’01 has been named the new head coach of women’s tennis at Williams College, acting athletic director Lisa Melendy announced recently.
Swain takes the reigns of the women’s tennis program from Julie Greenwood '96, who resigned in June after nine seasons at the helm of the Ephs program. Greenwood is leaving Williams to join SquashHaven in New Haven, CT.
Swain played under Greenwood for four years, and helped the Ephs win their first NCAA title in 2001. “I am extremely excited to return to Williams College to coach the women’s tennis team,†Swain said. “Julie Greenwood has brought a lot of heart, tradition, and competitive excellence to the program; and I hope to continue both her legacy and the team’s legacy.â€
Swain comes back to Williams from the Telluride Mountain School, an independent day school focused on outdoor education, hands-on-learning, and community building, in Colorado. After graduating from Williams with high honors in May 2001, Swain taught middle school humanities at Woodward Academy in College Park, GA where she also served as the head women’s tennis coach. She led her team to a second place finish in the state AAAA tournament in 2004, their highest finish in school history.
In 2005 Swain earned a certificate in Education for Environment and Community from IslandWood, A School in the Woods where she spent a year as a residential field instructor. She continued on to the University of Washington to complete her Master's in Education
While at Williams. Swain earned many distinctions, including All-NESCAC honors, being named a Scholar Athlete All American and the recipient of the Torrence M. Hunt tennis dedication award and the Bourne-Chaffee sportsmanship award
Williams, advanced to the finals of the 2007 NESCAC Tournament and the semifinals of the Div. III NCAA Tournament in May, lost just one senior to graduation. The Ephs finished 19-7 in Greenwood’s final season.
“Going forward, I believe that the team should continue to focus on the hard work and dedication that have consistently led to success as well as the amazing friendships and support among team members that make the tennis team an amazing and fun group to be a part of,†Swain said.
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Williams College Receives Anonymous $25M Gift to Support Projects
Staff Reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College has received a $25 million gift commitment in support of three major initiatives currently underway on campus: constructing a new museum building, developing a comprehensive plan for athletics and wellbeing facilities, and endowing the All-Grant financial aid program.
The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
"This remarkably generous commitment sustains our momentum for WCMA, will be a catalyst for financial aid, and is foundational for athletics and wellness. It will allow us to build upon areas of excellence that have long defined the college," Mandel said. "I could not be more appreciative of this extraordinary investment in Williams."
Of the donors' total gift, $10 million will help fund the first freestanding, purpose-built home for the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), a primary teaching resource for the college across all disciplines and home to more than 15,000 works.
Each year, roughly 30 academic departments teach with WCMA's collection in as many as 130 different courses.
The new building, designed by the internationally recognized firm SO-IL and slated to open in 2027, will provide dedicated areas for teaching and learning, greater access to the collection and space for everything from formal programs to impromptu gatherings. The college plans to fund at least $100 million of the total project cost with gifts.
Another $10 million will support planning for and early investments in a comprehensive approach to renewing the college's athletics and wellbeing facilities.
The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
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