new york – Columbia University Field Hockey Coach Katie DeSandys '13CC has left the position after three seasons in the position, and a national search for a head field hockey coach will begin immediately.
“I want to thank Katie for her hard work, especially leading the program through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Peter Pilling said. “She has been extremely loyal to Columbia University since her days as a student-athlete and we wish her the best of luck in the future. We will conduct an expedited and thorough search for a new coach to ensure our student-athletes have the support they need to continue competing through next season and beyond.”
“I would like to thank the Columbia University administration, staff and field hockey family for 11 years of memories,” DeSandis said. “I came to Columbia as a student-athlete in 2009 and brought the same enthusiasm and passion I brought to my tenure as coach – a passion to make history by helping the program win its first Ivy League championship and beyond. I sought to build a tradition of excellence that would continue beyond my tenure, but at this time I believe the program would be better served pursuing its mission under different leadership. I wish my team and Columbia Athletics every success in the future. I will be forever grateful for the honor of leading my alma mater and cherish the lifelong relationships I have built as a part of the community.”
DeSandis joined the staff as an assistant in 2017 and served as interim head coach during the canceled 2020 season before taking the helm for the 2021 season. In her first year at the helm, the Lions started 6-0, the best in program history, and finished the season with eight wins. Columbia improved its Ivy League win total by two games and persevered against four ranked opponents in 2022. Last season, the Lions went 3-11 and 0-6 in the Ancient Eight, with 10 of those losses coming by two points or less.
As a student-athlete, DeSandis was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Mideast Region Second Team, was named to the All-Ivy League First Team and served as team captain for the Lions as a senior. He was also named to the All-Ivy League Second Team as a junior and was an honorable mention selection as a freshman. During his collegiate career, he recorded 11 goals, 12 assists and 10 defensive saves in 67 games.
