Lee Sartor was named the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Erskine College on April 16, 2018. Coach Sartor just completed his 3rd year in charge of the Flying Fleet, and in his first season, he led the Erskine to its third winning season in the past twenty years. In his short tenure, Sartor coached All-Conference and NCCAA All-American Austin Venable, who played professionally in Spain. He also has led All-Conference player Jordan Watson, and standout players Trent Smoot and Jaywaun Washington. This past season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sartor coached freshmen Justin Morton and Jalen Miller to the freshman All-Conference Team and an NCCAA All-Region Team.
Coach Sartor began his first college coaching opportunity at Erskine after having a successful high school coaching career at Spartanburg Day School where his team won three consecutive State Titles from 2016-2018. Sartor has a career record of 238-89 at Spartanburg Day, 3 State Championships, 1 State Runner-Up, 8 Regional Championships, and 5 Final Four Appearances. Sartor was named Coach of the Year 7 times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018). Moreover, he has coached 15 All-State Players including Zion Williamson, one of the nation’s top-rated high school players in 2018, former Duke Star and #1 overall pick for the New Orleans Pelicans.
While in high school as a player at Spartanburg High, Coach Sartor was a 3-year starter at the point guard position. He led the team in scoring and assists and was the team MVP. He scored over 1000 points, had over 300 assists, 150 steals, and 200 rebounds during his career at Spartanburg High School.
Coach Sartor earned a basketball scholarship to USC-Upstate and was a four-year starter as a point guard and a 4-year Letterman for the Spartans. Upon completion of his college career, Sartor held the school record for most assists in a game, and had the 2nd most assists in a season, and was second in career assists at USC-Upstate. After College, Coach Sartor had opportunities to play professionally overseas and in several semi-pro leagues.
Coach Sartor holds a master’s degree in Human Resources from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from USC-Upstate. Coach Sartor and his wife of 34 years, Olivia (SMC, Limestone College), have a son, LA (Claflin University) and a daughter, Fanchon (Wofford College).
