Amber McHugh Named Head Alpine Ski Coach at Williams College

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. -- Athletic Director Lisa Melendy announced on June 8, 2022 that Amber McHugh has been named the Head Alpine ski coach at Williams College.
 
"I am excited to announce that Amber McHugh has accepted the position as the next Alpine Ski Coach at Williams College," said Melendy. "The search committee was impressed with her extensive ski coaching background, both across the country and internationally, as well as her knowledge of strength and conditioning and what that can offer the team and the department. She is a USSA Alpine Level 400 certified coach as well as USSA Level 3 Alpine Official and Referee. We look forward to welcoming her to Williamstown and the athletic department."
 
McHugh most recently served as an assistant Alpine coach at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) the past two seasons.
 
McHugh is a 2003 graduate of St. Michael's College where she earned a degree in Business Administration. She competed in both soccer and Alpine skiing for the Purple Knights and was a captain of both teams.
 
In 2021 McHugh earned a Master's degree in Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning) from Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
 
"I am very excited to be coming to Williams College," stated McHugh. "I have tremendous respect for the school and the ski program and can't wait to be part of the team!"
 
Previous to coaching at UNH McHugh spent 11 years in Vermont working with both the FIS men's and women's groups at Burke Mountain Academy. While there she was also a member of the high performance staff, leading the strength and conditioning for the athletes. In addition, she planned training camps and races throughout North America, Europe, and the Southern Hemisphere.
 
After Burke Academy, McHugh was the head women's FIS coach at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she was involved with all aspects of the program and gained experience in the western college race circuit, RMISA.
 
She left Steamboat Springs to pursue a unique coaching opportunity in Oslo, Norway and to experience ski racing within a different culture and country. In Norway she gained a lot of knowledge of technical skills and training programs that she has carried back to the U.S.