Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Honoring Rowing Legacies

With the dedication of four new rowing shells, HWS celebrated the enduring impact of Angela Desino P'94, Chris Desino '94, Rob Desino '94, and former Head Rowing Coach Jim Joy.

At the Miltenberger and Bennett-Hooper Rowing Center, alumni, family, friends, coaches, staff and rowers gathered by the Cayuga-Seneca Canal to honor two members of the Statesmen and Herons rowing community, Angela Desino P’94 and former Head Rowing Coach Jim Joy.

Desino, the late beloved mother of Chris Desino ’94 and Rob Desino ’94, was a steadfast supporter of her sons’ rowing careers. Joy, who passed away in 2024, spent more than a decade leading the HWS rowing teams, empowering student-athletes through his passion and deep knowledge of the sport.

To honor their devotion to the Statesmen and Herons rowing programs, in the fall of 2024, two new racing shells were dedicated in their memories: the Angela Desino P’94 II, made possible through a gift from the Desino family, and the James C. Joy, thanks to the contributions of multiple alumni. Two other shells were named in honor of Chris and Rob Desino for their longstanding support of HWS rowing and their success as two of Hobart’s most accomplished rowers.

Alongside Rob Desino and Dilan Bower-Desino ’18, Chris Desino reflected on the impact his mother left on him and his brother as young rowers for the Hobart team.

“There wasn’t anything…we wanted to do that she wouldn’t encourage,” he said. Noting her strength and tenacity, he advised current rowers that those qualities are self-reinforcing. “When you drive my mom’s boat and you put hands on, you’re going to dig deep — and when you dig deep, you dig deeper.”

For Alicia Joy, who was joined by her sister Kathleen, their father’s influence was equally resonant. “Growing up, it made a huge impression on me how much my dad’s athletes adored him,” she said. “He turned challenges into growth and successes into lifelong achievements. Many of the best coaches don't simply teach their sport, but they teach life skills.”

Remembered best for his “visionary approach and technical expertise,” Joy guided rowers, including the Desinos, to their two national championships.

Elizabeth Corman ’99, another of Joy’s athletes, recalled her experience with “Jimmy” during the late 1990s, when the Herons claimed “119 out of 128 races,” including three New York State championships.

“Jimmy’s passion for rowing and our team was palpable,” Corman said. “It shone through everything he did.”