Sue Lauder

2022 Inductee - Outstanding Contributer - Fitchburg State AD 1996-2018

For over 21 years, Lauder guided and greatly enhanced both the intercollegiate athletics and recreation programs at Fitchburg State University during her tenure as Director of Athletics.

Lauder was a catalyst behind the construction of the new faciilities and secured one of only nine NCAA/Strategic Alliance grants to help fund Fitchburg State Athletic initiatives. She spearheaded adding two new women's varsity programs (lacrosse and volleyball).

Lauder served as teh Commissioner of the New England Football Conference from 2005-2012. Sue was awarded the Asa S. Bushnell Outstanding Commisioner Award from the All-American Football Foundation in 2009.

On a national scale, Sue was on the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women's Internship Grant selection committee. She formely served on several committees, including the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee, Nominating Committee, Championships Committee, Strategic Planning and Finacnce Committee and the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, while also a member of the several ECAC Championship Tournament selection committees.

Lauder was the 2016 recipient of the National Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Administrator of the Year, and was inducted into the SUNY Cortland Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2017, Sue received the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Division III Athletic Director of the Year Award.

A graduate of Fairport (N.Y.) High School, Lauder earned her bachelors degree in Physical Education from Cortland in 1975 and a master's degree from Syracuse University in 1978. Prior to her tenure at Fitchburg State, Sue served as the Director of Athletics at Hartwick College.

In addition, Lauder served as the Head Coach both for the Women's Basketball and Women's Tennis teams at Hartwick College and as Head Basketball Coach at Assumption College. Lauder retired from Fitchburg State University in 2018 and now resides on Cape Cod.