Susan Bassett - Director of Athletics

Susan Bassett was named Carnegie Mellon University’s Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation in July of 2005.
    
Since her arrival, Susan has left her imprint in the organization of the department by implementing a new administrative structure.  Early on she put into action a strategic planning process which has led to the finalization of the department’s mission and vision statements, resulting in more effective programming for the Carnegie Mellon community.
    
Bassett has rapidly made numerous facility improvements to enhance the experience of the student body.  The most prominent include the renovation of Gesling Stadium, a new 5400 square foot varsity weight room and renovations to the athletic training facilities. In the spring of 2006, Susan oversaw an athletics facility master planning process with an eye on building a new facility for athletics, recreation, wellness and health.
    
Tartan athletics have enjoyed a tradition of success for many years.  During Bassett’s brief tenure, Carnegie Mellon has had a women’s tennis individual ITA National Champion, an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) regional championship in volleyball and men’s soccer plus UAA Championships in men’s cross country, basketball, track and field and football.  Seven teams have made NCAA appearances; seven coaching staffs have been named UAA Coaching Staffs of the Year and two coaches named Regional Coach of the Year.
    
Prior to Carnegie Mellon, Bassett served as the director of athletics at William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y. for ten years and was also an associate professor of physical education at the coordinate colleges of Hobart and William Smith.  
    
During Bassett’s tilt at William Smith, three varsity programs were added.  The Herons won two national field hockey and sailing championships, had eight NCAA semifinal appearances, three ECAC regional championships, and many Liberty League titles while under Bassett’s direction. In 2000, William Smith was recognized as one of the top athletic programs in the nation by “Sports Illustrated for Women.” She led renovation efforts and new construction for several campus facilities and was instrumental in the fund raising efforts for those projects.
    
She is active in NCAA affairs and has served on many national committees. Bassett completed her term as chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council at the 2004 convention. Currently she serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators.
    
She began her athletic career as head swimming and diving coach at William Smith where she coached 22 All-Americans.  She was also an assistant lacrosse and field hockey coach for the Herons.  Bassett was head men’s and women’s swimming coach at Union College, where she guided 92 All-Americans, two national champions, and was named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1993.  In the fall of 2006, she was inducted into the Union College Hall of Fame.
    
Bassett earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Ithaca College in 1979, where she became a member of the athletic hall of fame in the fall of 2005. She received a master’s degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1980.