Texas Woman's University Athletics

Souza was selected as the top 400-meter hurdler in college and also ran the 4x400-meter relay during her career at TWU. She anchored the sprint relays to many thrilling victories.

After being injured in 1976, she was selected to participate in the Pacific Games in 1977 for the United States team. Souza was presented the first President’s Award as TWU’s most outstanding student-athlete in 1978. She also earned the Women’s College Track & Field magazine award for the Most Fit Athlete in Track Events.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

“I would say that Sandra was born to run. That was the most important thing in her life,” Winifred Souza, her mother, said. “It’s been 25 years since we lost Sandra. I know that Dr. Lyle loved her very much. She was a very positive person and a daughter and student that any parent or school would be proud to have.”

Souza served as an assistant to the athletic director at TWU after graduation. She is a posthumous inductee into the TWU Athletics Hall of Fame. She passed away on November 18, 1981. She is survived by her mother, two brothers, Joel and Steven, and a sister, Jean.