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 2018-19 season is Ehmer's seventh as head coach of the men's basketball program. His 45 wins are more than any other head coach in team history.
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 into 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.
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 Insitute 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 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.
