The Bassett File

Susan Bassett enjoyed a stellar 15-year career as head swimming and diving coach at William Smith and Union colleges, producing 114 All-Americans and three New York state championships. In 1993, she guided Union's men's and women's teams to top 10 national finishes and was named the NCAA Divsions II Women's Coach of the Year.

In 1995, Bassett became athletic director at William Smith and helped expand the women's program by adding three varsity sports and leading renovation effors and new construction for several campus facilites. Under her watch William Smith won two national field hockey championships and regioinal titles in field hockey, lacrosse and soccer. She also helped create the Peak Performance Plan, a mentoring initiative for intercollegiate athletes. In 2000, "Sports Illustrated for Women" recognized William Smith as one of the permier athletic programs in the country.

Bassett is very active in NCAA affairs and has served on many natnional committees. She completed her term as chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council at the 2004 convention. She was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators in 2003.

Bassett was recently inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Ithaca College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in physical education. She holds a master's degree from Indiana University.