- 2018-19 Skyline Coach of the Year
- 2024-25 Skyline Coach of the Year
Chris Ehmer joined Sarah Lawrence College as Men's Basketball Coach/Assistant Director of Athletics in October 2012. He was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics prior to the 2015-16 academic year. In addition to taking the helm of the Gryphons’ basketball program, Ehmer is responsible for scheduling for all varsity teams, as well as home and away contest administration.
The 2023-24 season saw Ehmer lead the Gryphons to one of the best seasons in program history, with a trip to the Skyline semifinals against the eventual champion Farmingdale State. Ehmer guided sophomore Eamon Kelly to second-team all-conference honors while becoming the program's all-time three-pointers made leader. The Gryphons finished the season 14-13 overall and 10-6 in conference play, the program's second-best conference record in history and the most overall wins (tied with 2018-19) in program history. A quarterfinal victory over Maritime gave the Gryphons their second-ever Skyline semifinal appearance and set up a matchup with the aforementioned Rams in the next round.
In the 2022-23 season, Ehmer helped a very young Sarah Lawrence team to a solid finish with multiple wins over quality opponents. The Gryphons picked up wins against Mount Saint Mary, St. Joseph's - Brooklyn and Purchase throughout Skyline play. The team also took on impressive competition, traveling to play against then-number-one Christopher Newport University in November while also taking on Eastern University in a close game.
Ehmer led the Gryphons to double-digit victories (12) in 2019-20, guiding Sarah Lawrence back to the postseason for a second straight season, where the squad earned their first-ever playoff win, a 75-66 decision on the road at Manhattanville. In addition, under the guidance of Ehmer, Omar Jamaleddine earned First Team Skyline All-Conference laurels and Third Team All-Met Division IIIÂ honors.Â
Ehmer was named Skyline Coach of the Year in the 2018-19 campaign after guiding the Gryphons to their best season to date. Sarah Lawrence set team records for wins (14), conference wins (12) and road victories (7). The Gryphons posted an overall record of 14-12, earning a spot in the Skyline Men's Basketball Championship for the first time in program history. Ehmer mentored forward Enike Anyia, who became the first player in team history to earn Skyline First Team All-Conference honors in addition to landing a spot on the All-Met Division III Third Team. Â
In 2013-14, Ehmer led the men's basketball program to its most successful season in team history. The Gryphons reached double-digit wins (10) for the first time ever, and posted a winning record (4-3) in conference play. SLC finished one win away from only its second postseason berth. In the process, his team shattered all previous team records.
History was made in 2014-15 when the Gryphons traveled to nearby Newark, N.J., to square off against the Highlanders of New Jersey Institute of Technology. The game marked SLC's first ever head-to-head contest against a Division I opponent in a sport other than crew. After making their first three 3-point attempts, the Gryphons led 11-4 early in the game and finished the day with 13 three-point baskets.
Ehmer led the 2015-16 team to its first wins in the Skyline Conference, defeating Mount Saint Vincent and Mount Saint Mary. The Gryphons' traveled to the West Coast to pick up a victory against Caltech, and nine players were named to the Skyline Academic Honor Roll.
The 2016-17 team won four Skyline games, doubling the total from the previous season. The Gryphons finished the season tied for fifth place in the short-lived Skyline North division. Among the records broken during the season, the Gryphons set a new team record for the team's total scoring output, averaging 67.6 points per game.
Ehmer came to Sarah Lawrence by way of Kenyon College, where he was the men’s basketball Assistant Coach since 2010 and had served as Head Golf Coach since 2011. He had played an integral role in recruiting nearly two dozen student-athletes to his programs and has coached several players to all- North Coast Athletic Conference recognition. On the court, his teams have seen consistent improvement in the past three seasons, while on the links, the 2012 Lords set a program record for lowest tournament score.
Prior to Kenyon, Ehmer served as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Alfred University. In addition to assisting with all basketball operations, Ehmer served as a liaison with Alfred’s admissions department, conducted team study halls and participated in the recruiting process. Ehmer completed his M.B.A. in 2010.
The Bloomsburg, Pa., native also spent two seasons as Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Columbia-Montour Area High School in his hometown. There, he set marks for the program’s second-most victories in a season and managed all operations of the team. Ehmer also spent summers as a Head Basketball Coach and Basketball Gym Director as part of the Keystone State Games.
Ehmer is a 2006 graduate of Washington (Md.) College. While an undergraduate student, he served as Student-Assistant Basketball Coach for the Shoremen, directing the Washington junior varsity team.
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| Year |
Overall |
Conference |
Postseason |
| 2012-13 |
3-15 |
0-6 |
-- |
| 2013-14 |
10-14 |
4-3 |
-- |
| Career (HVMAC) |
13-29 (.309) |
4-9 (.307) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2014-15 |
1-24 |
0-18 |
-- |
| 2015-16 |
5-20Â Â Â Â |
2-18 |
-- |
| 2016-17 |
8-17 |
4-12 |
-- |
| 2017-18 |
4-21 |
3-17 |
-- |
| 2018-19 * |
14-12 |
12-8 |
Skyline Tournament First Round |
| 2019-20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
12-15 |
7-9 |
Skyline Tournament Semifinals |
| 2020-21 |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
| 2021-22 |
8-16 |
6-10 |
Skyline Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2022-23 |
7-18 |
5-11 |
|
| 2023-24 |
14-13 |
10-6 |
Skyline Tournament Semifinals |
| 2024-25 * |
18-9 |
13-3 |
Skyline Tournament Semifinals |
| Career (Skyline) |
93-163Â (.363) |
62-112 (.356) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Career (Overall) |
106-192Â (.356) |
66-121 (.353) |
|
*Skyline Coach of the Year
