By: Evan Ryan, Athletic Communications Assistant
For many, achieving greatness in their respective sport would be considered to be the ultimate goal. For some, passing on that greatness is the true goal.
As the biennial New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony grows closer, the College honors those who have shown true excellence throughout their athletic careers. This honor also holds account of the success after their years here at the college.
For one in particular athlete, the four years spent competing as a student-athlete was more than just that simple notion. It was a time where change was occurring. It was a time that saw individuals step up to the challenge. It was a time where Susan Cooney saw the opportunity to excel.
Cooney, a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1991, competed for the women’s swimming & diving team. A local talent who grew up in Kingston, N.Y., Cooney had started swimming when she was “nearly 3 years old.” By the age of 14, Cooney had the opportunity to compete at her local high school and club based out of Kingston.
As a member of the New Paltz swim team, Cooney had to practice with the men’s squad to make up for the time she missed with the women’s team while at work. While this was a difficult dynamic for Cooney at first, it became a huge factor in Cooney’s success as a Hawk. Having to compete with the men’s team meant that Cooney would have to practice at a much higher level, which Cooney is very thankful for.
Cooney described this scenario of having to keep up with the men at practice by adding that she swam sets that she “never would have dreamed of. “ One factor that also contributed to her success was the support of the former captain of the men’s team, Tom McGlade, who was a senior at the time of Cooney’s freshman year. Cooney describes McGlade as being “really supportive of letting me swim with the guys. He was a great motivator and also a distance swimmer as well.”
In her four years of competing, Cooney claimed several accolades. In 1989, she was a SUNYAC champion in both the 200 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle. Cooney also holds the distinction of being the first female SUNYAC champion in College history, and she became the first of many female conference champions to hail from New Paltz.
As a member of legendary coach Art Stockin’s swim team, Cooney found great pride in swimming at New Paltz. In regards to what Stockin meant to Cooney, Cooney describes Stockin as “the most important person in my life for the four years. He was a mentor, he was my guidance counselor.” This inspired Cooney to work hard towards her goal of being an elite swimmer.
“Because of him, I felt like I was a part of something so much bigger than myself,” Cooney says. “Even me as a woman swimming with the men’s team, I just got that impression that it necessarily isn’t about me, it’s about a bigger picture.”
In reflecting upon her successes, Cooney says that “it is a testament to Coach [Stockin]. I didn’t think I could do some of the things I could do. He had me thinking way outside the box.”
Cooney also attributes a lot of her success to her mom, who attended every meet. Cooney describes her mom as being a major support throughout her life.
While Cooney’s four years at the college might represent a small percentage of her life’s journey, she dedicates a lot of her work ethic to her time spent in the pool.
In the years following New Paltz, Cooney did not go the traditional route in getting a regular job. After New Paltz, Cooney moved to Maine, where she started working on sailboats, known as schooners. This was an opportunity for Cooney to travel, which she always admired.
Cooney describes the experience of working on these boats as some of the toughest jobs she’s ever experienced. Cooney goes on to say that because of her time working hard in the pool and developing confidence, she was able to transfer that over and become a success professionally.
Cooney, in her years after New Paltz, also finds time to coach youth and master’s swimming. A testament to her versatility, she currently coaches swimmers whose ages range from 6 to 76.
As Cooney continues to pass on her legacy to the next group of young swimmers while helping to support physical activity with senior swimmers, she admits in a humbling manor what she gets out of it.
“It is more about the experience,” Cooney says. “That’s what I want to give to these kids and these adults I work with. I want them to have a love of this sport and be able to do it their entire lives. That is the amazing thing about this sport.”
She humorously points out “the master’s group is just like the kids. The only difference is that they actually listen and do what I tell them without question.”
As the 18th New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony approaches, Cooney reflects on her induction by suggesting that “if you’re going to induct me into the Hall of Fame, then anybody who I ever swam with on that New Paltz team should be inducted, too, because I really can’t come up with someone who did not do more than they thought they could.”
Jill (Tournour) Burke ’93, who will also be inducted in this year’s Hall of Fame, was another motivator for Cooney. Burke brought the edge that the women’s program needed, says Cooney.
“Jill was a really strong factor in making the women’s team what it is,” Cooney says. “She is one of the toughest swimmers I have ever worked with,”
Through the impact of these two extraordinary individuals, change became real, and a legacy of success was born.
Cooney currently lives in Belfast, Maine, where she continues to coach. She lives with her husband and several dogs, which she claims are a handful enough.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. There will be a reception from 6-6:45 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. dinner and ceremony. The dinner and ceremony will take place in the College's Multi-Purpose Room in the Student Union Building, while the reception will occur in the lobby outside of the room.
