Washington State University Athletics

Sue Durrant spent more than 40 years at Washington State University as a professor, coach and administrator, receiving honors and recognition for her work on the court and in guiding female student-athletes. From her first position as an instructor of the Women’s Physical Education Department in 1962 through her time as director of sport management in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling that culminated in 2005, Durrant was an award-winning educator as well as one of the finest coaches in school history. She led the volleyball program for 12 seasons from 1963-75 and guided the women’s basketball program for 10 seasons from 1971-72, and then again from 1973-82. She guided the basketball program to leagues titles in 1978 and 1979, and previously captured the Northwest Regional Championship in 1972, advancing to the Sweet 16 of AIAW Championship. Her winning percentage of .575 (134-99) was the highest of any coach in program history with more than two years service upon her retirement. Her greatest contribution to Washington State may have come with her work in the landmark Title IX case, Blair v. Washington State, which required equal treatment for female student-athletes in the state of Washington. Durrant, along with others, championed the efforts of women’s rights in collegiate athletics, which resulted in foundational changes in how universities support women’s programs. Durrant received numerous awards for her work while at Washington State, including the Honor Fellow Award by the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, Outstanding Services in Women’s Sport by the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Honors Award from the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Administrators and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.