Degon, Williams Join Athletic Department Staff

Aug. 8: St. Lawrence University Athletic Director Margie Strait has announced the hiring of Ryan Degon as the new Head Athletic Trainer and Deshaya Williams as the new Assistant Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development.

Degon, a North Country native from Malone, NY, comes to St. Lawrence after working as a trainer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  He worked for two years as an assistant athletic trainer responsible for the Division I football program following a two year stint as a graduate assistant.  Degon, who earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY Cortland and a Master's Degree from Chattanooga, also had athletic training experience at Cornell University.

Degon is an approved clinical instructor (ACI) for the graduate athletic training program, a certified CPR/AED instructor, and is certified in the application of Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (ASTYM). He is also trained in the administration of IV therapy, emergency airways, and other advanced life support skills.

Meanwhile, Williams arrives to Canton, NY after working for one season as a track and field assistant coach at SUNY Fredonia.  A native of Saratoga Springs, NY, Deshaya attended Penn State University where she won the 2003 National Championship in the discus and was a three-time All-American and Big Ten champion.  Williams, who will also serve as the Saints' throws coach as well as the Assistant Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development, has also competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000 and 2004.

Williams gained valuable coaching experience at both Penn State and Clemson University before heading to Fredonia.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree in 2002 and her first Master's in 2004, both from Penn State.  She then completed her second Master's Degree in 2009 from Erskine Theological Seminary.

Degon replaces Jason Pennella, who accepted the head training position at Salisbury Prep School this spring, while Williams replaces Aland Joseph, who accepted a position at Milford Academy.

"We are certainly thankful for the dedicated work that both Jason and Aland did for St. Lawrence and our athletic department," said Strait.  "We are also excited and fortunate to have had two outstanding candidates for these critical positions on our staff.  I am confident that both Ryan and Deshaya will serve our University and student-athletes well from their first day on campus."