susan_summons_web.jpgMIAMI — Susan Summons, head women’s basketball coach at Miami Dade College, was recently inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame — a national honor that adds to her many career achievements.


“The induction itself is shared with the entire Miami Dade College family and all of my students,” said Summons, who is in her 27th season as the women’s basketball head coach at the college. The NJCAA honor makes the fourth Hall of Fame induction for Summons in five years.

A Lamar University graduate and women’s pro-basketball pioneer, Summons has led the MDC Lady Sharks to 22 Region 8 Championship Tournaments, compiling a 432-196 win record and six 20-win seasons. At the start of this academic year, Summons also had an all-time head coaching record in the NJCAA, 458-325.

Besides the wins, the  program has maintained a graduation rate of 93 percent. Summons says her goal is to give students life skills to help them excel on and off the court. “I am very humbled and passionate about the gift that I have been given, because it changes lives,” she said.

Her mentoring has earned her the MDC Endowed Teaching Chair Award twice and, in 2007, the Institute of International Sport named her one of the Top 100 Most Influential Sports Educators. 

Besides her coaching job, Summons is an associate professor at MDC, a recruiter and motivational speaker.