Saint Anselm College

Saint Anselm College Director of Athletics Phil Rowe has announced the hiring of Alyssa Williamson as the ninth head coach in the 44-year history of the softball program in December of 2025.
 
"Alyssa is a proven program builder whose commitment to competitive excellence, academic accountability, and student-athlete well-being aligns perfectly with Saint Anselm's mission," said Rowe. "We are excited about the leadership, energy, and vision Coach Williamson brings to our softball program."
 
Williamson comes to the Hilltop after a four-year stint at the University of Maine-Farmington, guiding the Beavers to two North Atlantic Conference (NAC) playoff appearances and a 48-71 record overall. In conference play, Williamson posted a 23-18 record, including a 3-4 mark in the playoffs.
 
"I am incredibly grateful and honored to be chosen to lead the Saint Anselm College softball program," said Williamson. "I would like to sincerely thank Athletic Director Phil Rowe, Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance & Team Logistics Sagemarie George, and the entire athletic staff and administration for the trust they have placed in me. From my first conversations with the administration, it was clear that Saint Anselm values its student-athletes and the people who support them, and I'm excited to be part of that community."
 
After a combined 13 wins in her first two seasons in Farmington, Williamson led the Beavers to an impressive leap, recording a 19-11 record and 10-2 mark in league action in 2024, earning herself the distinction of NAC Coach of the Year. This marked the most wins in a season for UMaine Farmington since 2008, as the Beavers made their first playoff appearance in five years and won their first playoff game in 14 years.
 
The improvement from 2023 to 2024 was historic for UMF, making strides in every statistical category, highlighted by the team's batting average jumping by nearly 100 points, going from .223 to a .322 mark. Six Beavers were selected to the NAC All-Conference teams, two were honored as members of the Maine College Baseball and Softball Association (MCBSA) All-State teams, and one was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® team.
 
Overall, Williamson coached 12 NAC All-Conference selections, nine Academic All-District® team members, and five MCBSA All-State honorees. Most recently, Williamson led the Beavers back to the playoffs in 2025 for the second consecutive season, posting a 16-18 record, a 4-4 mark in NAC play, and a 7-3 record at home.

Prior to her time at UMaine Farmington, Williamson held the role of assistant coach at Suffolk University. In her first season, she helped the Rams reach the postseason with an 11-5 conference record. Six Suffolk athletes received all-conference recognition, including one first-team selection, two second-team selections, and three third-team selections. Williamson was responsible for managing administrative operations, preparing practice plans, and recruiting.

Before entering the coaching ranks, Williamson enjoyed an illustrious softball career at Merrimack College, where she graduated in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in criminology. While at Merrimack, Williamson competed for the Warriors as a standout first baseman and helped the squad to the NCAA East Region Final and a program-leading 35 wins in 2017. 

Over three seasons on the diamond with the Warriors, Williamson accrued 151 hits and 67 RBI. Along the way, she collected multiple accolades, including NE10 All-Conference nods, NFCA All-Region status, and D2CCA All-East Region honors. Not only did she shine on the field, but also in the classroom, being recognized with two CoSIDA Academic All-American awards and a pair of CoSIDA Academic All-District honors as a junior and senior, respectively. 

At Scarborough High School, Williamson was a four-time All-State honoree, two-time state champion, and in 2014 was awarded the prestigious awards of Miss Maine Softball and Maine Gatorade Player of the Year. 

"The athletic department has a strong tradition of academic excellence, competitive athletics, and upstanding character, and I look forward to working with our student-athletes as we build upon the program's strong foundation and continue to foster a culture rooted in hard work, accountability, and pride in representing Saint Anselm College," said Williamson. "Go Hawks!"