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 two varsity programs since her arrival: sailing in 1997, and squash in 1998. 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, the 2001 Artificial Turf Stadium, and the John H. Cozzens, Jr. '41 Memorial Field.

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 two ECAC Championships (Field Hockey 1999, Lacrosse 2001), 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.

An active member of the NCAA's committee structure, Bassett is the vice chair elect for the NCAA Division III Management Council. Comprised of 19 members from the Division III membership, the Management Council implements policies adopted by the NCAA's Executive Committee and the Division III Presidents Council and manages the Division III governance structure. Bassett has been a member of the Management Council since 1999.

Bassett serves on the Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee and the Committee on Women's Athletics. She is also the chair of the NCAA Convention Planning Subcommittee.

Between 1995 and 1998 Bassett served as the subcommittee chair of the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Rules Committee where she was actively involved in administrating the women's and men's NCAA Championships, while at the same time implementing rule changes made by the committee.

Bassett enjoyed an extraordinary coaching career before moving into the director's chair. Coincidentally, her coaching career also began at William Smith, where she coached 22 All-Americans, including one National Champion, with the Heron's swimming and diving team. She was also an assistant coach for the lacrosse and field hockey teams.

Before returning to William Smith, Bassett spent eight seasons as the head coach of the swimming and diving teams at Union (N.Y.) College. She mentored 92 All-Americans and two National Champions, was a three-time New York State Coach of the Year, and the 1993 NCAA Division III Women's Coach of the Year.

A 1979 graduate of Ithaca College, she received a master's degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1980.

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