Winona State University Athletics

Retired from WSU in 1987
Assistant Vice President of Academic affairs
Chairperson, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
Coached Women’s Swimming


The creation of the nine women’s intercollegiate athletic programs at Winona State is due in large measure to the work of Susan Day.

After beginning her education career in the Winona school district, Day came to Winona State and began her collegiate work in the Physical Education field. She coached some of the early women’s swimming teams at Winona State, but her great accomplishment at Winona State came in the administration area.

Day became Chairperson of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, and during that period, became one of the first women to head a combined men’s and women’s department that included athletics. It was also during that time that Memorial Hall was constructed. She also established the cardiac rehabilitation lab and laid the ground work for eight women’s athletic programs.

Day’s administrative skills led her to be named Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and eventually University Program Assistant for Winona State, a position in which she was on loan to the State University System office to create, administer and compile a system study on men’s and women’s athletics with special emphasis on compliance with Title IX.

Day served on many professional community activities and is especially known for her leadership in women’s golf at Winona’s Westfield Golf Club.