Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Sachs, Susan
Susan Sachs
- Induction:
- 2024
- Class:
- 1977
Susan Sachs holds a distinguished place in Lehigh history for her efforts as a multi-sport athlete in the early days of Lehigh women's athletics and a trailblazer for women's sports during a transformative time at the university.
A 1977 Lehigh graduate, Sachs arrived at Lehigh one year after Title IX was enacted. In her time on campus, she lettered in four varsity sports: basketball, field hockey, volleyball and softball, and also participated in powderpuff football.
“Sports have always been an integral part of my life, starting at a very early age,” Sachs said. “The Hall of Fame induction is incredibly important to me for several reasons. First and foremost, it acknowledges my college years as an athlete. But equally significant, it validates what it means to be a pioneer. In honoring me, you're honoring all women athletes that showed up in the first years of varsity sports at Lehigh, who demanded things like playing fields, locker rooms and uniforms. It acknowledges that big change starts small. And by showing up, you are making it easier for the person behind you. That's a wonderful legacy to leave to my daughter and her cousins.”
Sachs served as co-captain for Lehigh’s inaugural women’s basketball team in 1974-75. She was named most outstanding basketball player by The Epitome in 1976 and was women’s basketball’s Most Valuable Player in 1977.
During the fall season, Sachs played field hockey in her first three years. She was a member of the 1975 field hockey squad that went 10-0 in its third year as a varsity program. That team went on to play in the first Mid-Atlantic Women’s Intercollegiate Tournament in Millersville, Pa.
In the fall of her senior year, Sachs joined the volleyball program after playing three years of field hockey. She was a part of Lehigh’s 9-1 campaign in 1976. In the spring of 1977, Sachs served as a co-captain for Lehigh’s inaugural softball team.
During her time at Lehigh, Sachs was a driving force in the push for equality in collegiate athletics, advocating for the necessary resources to support women's sports. Her efforts extended to securing uniforms, appropriate facilities, and funding—battles that were symbolic of the broader struggle for equality at a time when women were still fighting for their place in collegiate athletics.
“My special experience at Lehigh is defined by athletics and my three years as a gryphon,” Sachs said. “They were the ballasts in the choppy waters of college life providing stability in the form of friendships, triumphs, defeats and the resulting resilience and self-confidence.”
Sachs graduated from Lehigh with degrees in finance and psychology and later added a Master’s degree from Columbia Business School.
After her graduation, Sachs translated the determination and leadership skills she honed at Lehigh into a successful career as a media executive. She spent 17 years at Time Warner Inc., contributing to renowned publications including Time, Fortune Magazine, and Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Sachs is retired and serves on two non-profit boards: The Center for Investigative Reporting and as Co-Chair at Common Sense Media, where she previously served as the company’s President and founding Chief Operating Officer. Sachs is also active in preserving women's reproductive rights. She spends time between San Francisco and Sonoma, Calif., where she enjoys cycling, pickleball and gardening including producing olive oil. She also ventures to the mountains for skiing and hiking.
Sachs celebrates her induction with her daughter Coco and nephews Matt and Tim.
A 1977 Lehigh graduate, Sachs arrived at Lehigh one year after Title IX was enacted. In her time on campus, she lettered in four varsity sports: basketball, field hockey, volleyball and softball, and also participated in powderpuff football.
“Sports have always been an integral part of my life, starting at a very early age,” Sachs said. “The Hall of Fame induction is incredibly important to me for several reasons. First and foremost, it acknowledges my college years as an athlete. But equally significant, it validates what it means to be a pioneer. In honoring me, you're honoring all women athletes that showed up in the first years of varsity sports at Lehigh, who demanded things like playing fields, locker rooms and uniforms. It acknowledges that big change starts small. And by showing up, you are making it easier for the person behind you. That's a wonderful legacy to leave to my daughter and her cousins.”
Sachs served as co-captain for Lehigh’s inaugural women’s basketball team in 1974-75. She was named most outstanding basketball player by The Epitome in 1976 and was women’s basketball’s Most Valuable Player in 1977.
During the fall season, Sachs played field hockey in her first three years. She was a member of the 1975 field hockey squad that went 10-0 in its third year as a varsity program. That team went on to play in the first Mid-Atlantic Women’s Intercollegiate Tournament in Millersville, Pa.
In the fall of her senior year, Sachs joined the volleyball program after playing three years of field hockey. She was a part of Lehigh’s 9-1 campaign in 1976. In the spring of 1977, Sachs served as a co-captain for Lehigh’s inaugural softball team.
During her time at Lehigh, Sachs was a driving force in the push for equality in collegiate athletics, advocating for the necessary resources to support women's sports. Her efforts extended to securing uniforms, appropriate facilities, and funding—battles that were symbolic of the broader struggle for equality at a time when women were still fighting for their place in collegiate athletics.
“My special experience at Lehigh is defined by athletics and my three years as a gryphon,” Sachs said. “They were the ballasts in the choppy waters of college life providing stability in the form of friendships, triumphs, defeats and the resulting resilience and self-confidence.”
Sachs graduated from Lehigh with degrees in finance and psychology and later added a Master’s degree from Columbia Business School.
After her graduation, Sachs translated the determination and leadership skills she honed at Lehigh into a successful career as a media executive. She spent 17 years at Time Warner Inc., contributing to renowned publications including Time, Fortune Magazine, and Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Sachs is retired and serves on two non-profit boards: The Center for Investigative Reporting and as Co-Chair at Common Sense Media, where she previously served as the company’s President and founding Chief Operating Officer. Sachs is also active in preserving women's reproductive rights. She spends time between San Francisco and Sonoma, Calif., where she enjoys cycling, pickleball and gardening including producing olive oil. She also ventures to the mountains for skiing and hiking.
Sachs celebrates her induction with her daughter Coco and nephews Matt and Tim.
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