2008 Woodie Awards
Back Where She Started
Susan Anderson is in Her Second Year at UCM and is Now Ready to Take the Jennies to the Next Level.
Ryan Gibbs: Digitalburg.com
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Sports
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Anderson has improved every program she has coached. She took St. Mary's (Kan.) College from 6-21 her first season in 1999 to a 15-19 record the next season.
"She's big on leadership and respect," said junior Kherri-Dean Hummer. "As long as you're willing to step up, she's going to respect you for that, and your teammates respect you for that as well. It's something that carries on to the field."
Anderson guided Dakota State University to a school record 25-13 finish and its first NAIA regional tournament appearance in 2002, her second season as Trojans' head coach.
"You have to have goals for yourself," Anderson said. "You have to have high expectations for yourself, your players and your staff. I think the biggest contribution is surrounding yourself with quality people - starting with your staff - and surrounding yourself with quality student-athletes."
After her stint in South Dakota, Anderson spent four seasons at then-Northwest Missouri State and guided the Bearcats through three seasons, winning 30 games or more each season.
She won a school record 34 games in 2005 and topped the feat a year later, winning 40 games.
Anderson had six conference first-team selections and 23 conference academic honor-roll picks.
Anderson and Rhesa Sumrell were also named 2006 MIAA Co-Coaches of the Year.
"It was exciting getting back into the MIAA," Anderson said. "That's what enticed me to look at that position. I had great memories from Central Missouri. Just to get back into the MIAA, because it's so highly competitive."
Anderson credits a lot of her success to learning from Sumrell.
"Wanting the best out of yourselves and having great teammates beside you, that's the biggest thing," Anderson said. "When you have great teammates and you're surrounded by quality people, you're going to have a quality program."
When Anderson played at Central Missouri she earned all-MIAA honors three times. She was also an All-American at third base in 1996 and 1997.
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