VIDEO: SUE BURKHOLDER BROWN HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
Sue Burkholder Brown established herself as one of the finest and best-known athletes at Bridgewater College during the late 1950s when she helped the women's basketball team emerge as one of the top programs in the state.
Sue competed in field hockey, basketball and tennis, the only three female sports Bridgewater offered at the time, and she was selected as the College's outstanding female athlete during her senior year of 1959-60. Though adept at all three sports, Sue's most impressive athletic accomplishments came on the hardwood. After assisting the 1957-58 Bridgewater team to an 8-2 record, Sue averaged 25 points per game her junior season as the 1958-59 Eagles put together a 7-1 overall mark. As a senior, Sue served as captain of the 1959-60 squad and scored at a clip of 21 points per contest to lead Bridgewater to a 9-0 record, the first of three straight unbeaten seasons for the women's basketball team. That same year, Sue was named the outstanding player on the 1959 Bridgewater field hockey team, and was also an important part of Bridgewater's powerful tennis program under legendary head coach Betsy Tandy.
Despite the demands of participating in athletics year-round, Sue was heavily involved in a multitude of other campus activities. She was selected to the school Senate as a freshman and senior and held the position of secretary for the 1960 senior class. Sue was also a Bridgewater College cheerleader for two years and competed on the school's intramural bowling team organized during her senior year. The student body voted Sue Miss Bridgewater in 1960 and the May Day Queen that same year.
Sue received her degree in Business Administration from Bridgewater in 1960 and spent most of a 17-year teaching career in the Albemarle County school system before changing her profession to a professional decorator. With strong affection for family and people, she continues to play a large role in her church and has participated in a number of its overseas missions.
Sue Burkholder Brown was an outstanding athlete at Bridgewater College who put her leadership skills to use in later life. For her accomplishments, Sue has earned a rightful place in the Bridgewater Athletic Hall of Fame.
