Binghamton University Athletics

50th Anniversary of Women's Athletics at Binghamton University

Profile: Susan Numann '80, swimmer

Brief: A native of Penfield, N.Y., Susan swam at Binghamton from 1976-80 and earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1980. She was Athlete of the Year in 1977 and was a national qualifier and team MVP who led the women's program to unprecedented dual meet success during her career. At the year-end awards banquet in 1980, Numann received the John Bilos Alumni Award for career achievement. She was inducted into the Binghamton Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. Now Susan Layman, she and her husband Mark have traveled extensively and enjoyed wine tasting in Tuscany, watching World Cup soccer in Germany, helicopter to glaciers in Alaska, and cruising the Greek Isles.   




Accomplishments on Numann's Hall of Fame plaque

A four-year swimmer who excelled in the backstroke, Numann produced one of the most outstanding freshman seasons of any athlete in school history.


In 1976-77, she lowered the school record in the 50 yard backstroke six times, and established a new mark in the 100 backstroke five different times.  Numann advanced to the national championships in both events, and also swam a leg on four record-setting relays.  Following her first collegiate season, she was honored as Binghamton's "Athlete of the Year."

As a junior, she was named MVP after guiding the team to a program-best third place finish at the New York State Championship.  She accumulated 162 points — fourth-highest in program history.

One year later, Numann led her squad to an 11-1 dual meet record, and fourth place showing among 24 teams at the state championship.  For the season, her 17 relay wins were the second highest of all time, and she was honored with the Clemer Award as the team's Outstanding Senior. 

A two-year captain and four-year state qualifier, Numann concluded her career with the most relay wins in school history (41), and ranked second in career points with 573. During her tenure, Binghamton went 31-10 in dual meets, good for a win percentage of 76%.

She was honored with the University's John Bilos Award for outstanding career performance in 1980.   
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Catching up with Numann ...

What was your high school sports background and what led you to choose Binghamton?

I was a four-year swimmer at Penfield High School. I was part of the founding women’s swim team. I applied at Binghamton mostly because of the reputation of its Nursing program. I was on the wait list for admission until the swim coach came to see me swim and she recruited me.

What was your perception of the climate on campus, in terms of opportunities, facilities and overall treatment of women's athletics while you were here?

I was mostly on campus for Nursing, however, I was frequently mentioned in the school newspaper so was given permission to attend away meets and miss my classes; this caused me to feel respected as a female athlete. This also led me to have to study even harder to keep up with my nursing degree.



As you reflect back ... what remain your fondest memories of being a student-athlete at Binghamton?

My fondest memories was the support from my new friends and teachers to pursue my swimming while trying to keep up my social life and academic career.  I am very honored to be part of the 50th celebration as my swimming career helped me focus and get through the very challenging nursing curriculum.

Where has life taken you since graduation?
 
Since graduation, I have married and have two grown children. I worked for many years in Rochester NY, first in a hospital for 16 years and then in an outpatient surgery center for 23 years. Recently I began at a new job in the VA Health Center in Rochester to finish off my career. as a Registered Nurse helping our veterans achieve good health care.


Excerpt from the book "From Colonials to Bearcats," written by Tim Schum
Former coach Martha Gatchell-Tillman
I recruited Susan, and as I came to know her personally, it became evident she would be an athlete who would accept the challenge of helping our team reach the next level of excellence. From the first day of practice her freshman year, she began to earn her position and the respect of her teammates, the campus community and the athletic department staff. If you asked Susan, she would probably tell you that she is nothing special. Humility is a part of her makeup. However, if you ask those who have had the privilege of coaching her, they will tell you quite a different story. Susan is a woman to whom swimming was more than a sport - it was a commitment. She exemplified the true concept of student-athlete, giving 100 percent of herself at all times, both in the classroom and in the sport. Susan is someone who has outstanding talents, who shines individually as a star but who values team participation. It is her nature to place the good of the team above any individual record she might achieve. Having coached Susan for two years, I am grateful to have had a swimmer during the early part of my career who responded as she did; who was as good as she was; who was someone whom I would remember for years and years with fondness and appreciation.