Houghton University Athletics

Susan Roorbach-Hellings was a pioneer for women’s sports at Houghton College, and it all started in New Jersey with three older brothers who let her play sandlot football with them if she promised not to cry, and if she quit she couldn’t come back and play. Growing up in the 1960s, there weren’t many organized youth leagues, so her love of sports was nurtured through countless hours of playing any sport possible with anyone who wanted to join. The life lessons she learned during those times are what carried her through her life, and specifically her time at Houghton.
 
In 1970, she started attending Houghton Academy, where she played basketball and was also introduced to soccer. She says, “I appreciated soccer because I could run fast, kick hard, use my head and push a little.” Along with her sister, Peg Roorbach-Shrum, Susan’s teams dominated in soccer and basketball throughout high school. She also played volleyball and ran track and field.
 
Houghton College was a familiar place for Hellings, as the collegiate teams shared a gym with them at the academy. It was a natural choice for Susan to continue her education there. She entered as a math major in 1973.
 
Hellings definitely wanted to continue her basketball career, but also became more and more interested in volleyball, although somewhat unfamiliar with the sport. She recalls, “Before the age of women’s athletic scholarships, recruiting, and resumes, we were all walk-ons. It was nerve-racking.” She tried out for both varsity teams, earned a spot, and definitely started making her mark.
 
She saw much success as a two-sport athlete. She was a natural at volleyball, and one of her fondest memories was defeating Brockport in 1974 for the AIAW, which stands for the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, Sectional title. They won in the first set by a score of 15-0, with Susan as the starting hitter for the entire season. They then went on to the NY state tournament and took second place. She played volleyball for three of her four years at Houghton.
 
Basketball was another love of Susan’s. Some of her best memories of her college years were playing pick-up basketball games almost every single weekday with her friends. She says those times were when, “our tensions were relieved and our friendships cemented.”
 
Some of her personal highlights from basketball included beating Syracuse University in their house 72-70, grabbing 26 rebounds in one game, and participating in the ENC tournament her senior year, which was a precursor to the NCCAA tournament we know now. The Christian Colleges of the east gathered for a post-season basketball tournament and in 1977, Hellings and her team claimed first place and she received MVP honors.
 
Title IX passed during her college years, which meant a new award was introduced at the athletic banquet, one that was equivalent to the men’s award. As a result, Susan was the first woman to receive a woman’s athletic financial award in Houghton College history. As a senior, she also received the Senate Excellence Award for Female College Athletes.
 
After Houghton, Hellings taught high school mathematics for the next four years and volunteered with several of the girls’ sports teams. After getting married and having children, she began teaching developmental math courses part-time at her local Community College and did that for the next 20 years. She has a huge passion for coaching, teaching and mentoring.
 
Her fellow sister and teammate, Peg Shrum, became an executive committee member in the newly formed NCCAA Women’s Volleyball Association, and asked Susan if she could name a new award that the association was forming after her. The award recognizes student-athletes that are exceptional athletes but also show exceptional leadership, academic performance and Christian character. It is officially called the Susan R. Hellings Award and is still given out today for a NCCAA Division 1 Volleyball player.
 
Hellings reflects on this honor, and says, “I am thankful God is raising up more women every year as coaches and players who want to love Him with all their hearts, minds, souls and strength.”
 
Hellings continues to live in the same New Jersey hometown she grew up in and raised her family in. She’s made three trips to Africa to help her missionary sister, and four trips to Alaska to help her missionary son.
 
At home, she teaches bible studies, serves on her church board and on her local Habitat for Humanity board. She likes to be outside walking, hiking, kayaking, biking and travelling to new cultures and places. She has one granddaughter who she loves to visit and hopes becomes a young woman of excellence someday.

We are privileged to welcome Sue Hellings into the Hall of Honor as a pioneer in the early days of Houghton women’s intercollegiate athletics and a godly servant who has made her mark beyond the walls of Houghton College.