WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. – "It is with great pleasure that I announce that
Erin Sullivan has agreed to take on a new role at Williams College as the Director of Intramural Sports," said Eph Athletic Director
Lisa Melendy.
"Coming out of COVID and the College's strategic planning processes, it is clear that a refresh of recreational offerings is needed at Williams," added Melendy. "President Maud Mandel wrote in her Strategic Planning Draft that the college seeks to, 'Reframe varsity athletics as one on a continuum of options for physical fitness and personal development that also includes the Williams Outing Club, Physical Education classes, and activities, and many other options for students of different interests and ability types.' It is clear that one critical component of the continuum is a robust intramural program."
Sullivan is well-positioned to design and develop a self-sustaining program. He came to Williams with a great deal of athletic administrative experience from Western New England University where he was an Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men's Soccer Coach. As an alumnus of the College he has fond memories of his days as an intramural athlete. Sullivan is an outstanding physical educator with a passion for sports of all kinds, his organizational abilities and infectious enthusiasm will serve as a great catalyst as the intramural program at Williams is reshaped.
Sullivan shares: "While this is a difficult decision with mixed emotions, I am excited the College has asked me to take the lead on an initiative born out of the strategic planning process.
I'm excited about the new opportunity in Athletics to restructure the intramural program to provide even more broad-based athletic and wellness offerings for our students here at Williams. This new initiative will not only support the physical and emotional well-being of the entire Williams student body, it also provides an important vehicle for building community among students.
I've enjoyed the privilege of being a teacher-coach at Williams and the opportunity to coach and share the field with world class scholar-athlete-leaders. We will do everything in our power to make the transition to a new coaching staff as smooth and seamless as possible. I want to express enormous gratitude to all the players, coaches, parents, alumni, and other amazing members of the Williams Soccer Family that have supported our program and teams."
In his five years at the helm of the Ephs Sullivan fashioned a record of 42-23-19 (.613) and his 2018 team won the Little Three title and was runner-up to Colby in the NESCAC Tournament.
Sullivan's 2019 Ephs embarked on a preseason trip to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Four matches were played against European teams and the Ephs participated in a training session conducted by an Italian federation coach at Coverciano, the Italian National Training Center in Florence.
Additional soccer-related activities included stops at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, Juventus' home stadium, and a Serie A match in Milan.
The search for an interim soccer coach is underway with the goal to have someone in place by early August with a full search to commence after the 2021 season has concluded.
