Susan
Bassett became the William Smith College Director
of Athletics in July of 1995. Under her direction,
the Herons have soared to unparalleled success.
Bassett’s
leadership has led to the addition of three
varsity programs since her arrival: sailing
in 1997, squash in 1998, and golf in 2003. She
oversaw the renovation of Winn-Seeley Gymnasium
in 1996, and, along with her Hobart counterpart,
has ushered in a wide array of improvements
to the Colleges’ athletic facilities,
including the addition of the Hellstrom Boathouse,
the Dr. Frank P. Smith ’36 Squash Center,
H.J. McCooey Memorial Field, John H. Cozzens
Jr. ’41 Memorial Field, the RFK Varsity
Strength Training Center, and the Bozzuto Boathouse.
The
Heron Hall of Honor was inaugurated in October
of 1997 with the induction of the Charter Class.
Also under Bassett’s guidance the Heron
Society has achieved membership records in each
of the past three years.
A national powerhouse before her arrival, William
Smith has continued its championship tradition
during the Bassett-era. The Herons have won
two national championships since 1995 (Field
Hockey 1997, 2000) and three ECAC Championships
(Field Hockey 1999, Lacrosse 2001, Soccer 2003),
as well as dozens of conference championships.
In 2000, William Smith was recognized as one
of the top athletic programs in the nation by
Sports Illustrated for Women.
Beyond
the athletic arena, Bassett has been instrumental
in developing the whole Heron with the introduction
of the Peak Performance Plan. The program, which
received additional funding from an NCAA grant
in 2003-04, aims to help student-athletes achieve
peak performance academically, athletically,
and professionally.
An
active member of the NCAA’s committee
structure, Bassett recently completed her term
as chair of the NCAA Division III Management
Council. A member of the Management Council
since 1999, she oversaw the development and
passage of the wide sweeping reform package
that were adopted during the 2004 NCAA Convention.
In
October of 2003, Bassett was elected to the
board of directors of the National Association
of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators.
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