Drury Grad Named Head Coach for Eph's Golf

Kris DufourWiliams Sports Info
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Erika DeSanty
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Erika DeSanty, a Clarksburg native and 2001 graduate of Drury High School in North Adams, has been named head coach for women's golf at Williams College.

DeSanty succeeds co-head coach Fran Vandermeer, who retired this month after nine years at Williams, the last two in which she headed the women's golf program along with Kris Herman.

Vandermeer and Herman guided the Ephs to the NCAA Tournament and an eighth-place finish nationally last spring.

“We're excited to welcome Erika into the department as a head coach," Williams Athletic Director Harry Sheehy said. "She has a great passion for teaching and coaching and we feel she is a great fit for our women’s golf program. I look forward to working with her."

DeSanty, enters her third year at Williams after spending the last two as an assistant coach in the women's basketball program, where she coordinated film exchange and assisted in recruiting, player development, and game preparation.  Prior to that, she spent two years at Elmira College as the assistant women's basketball coach.

"I am honored and humbled by this opportunity; it is one that I have hoped for all of my life," DeSanty said. "I have followed Williams' athletics since a young age, coming to coach Sheehy's basketball camps and games, all the while imagining and hoping that one day I could be a part of a program committed to academic and athletic excellence like Williams."

DeSanty continued to pursue her passion for golf in recent years while performing her duties at both Elmira and Williams, working for the Callaway Golf Co. as a demonstration technician and for eduKaytion golf as an instructor. She recently began the first stage of certification to become a LPGA teaching and club professional.

She has already met with her student-athletes at Williams, laying the groundwork for what is to come when the season begins in the fall.

"I hope that the student-athletes will take pride in their effort and commitment towards improving, but more importantly, I hope that they enjoy and learn from their experience as a member of this team," DeSanty said.

DeSanty graduated from Colby-Sawyer in 2005 with a bachelor of science degree in sports management and from Elmira College in 2007 with a master of science degree in education.
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Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
 
But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.
 
"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."
 
"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.
 
Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.
 
The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.
 
Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.
 
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