| Email: | ssyljebe@sienaheights.edu |
| Title: | Vice President of Athletics |
| Phone: | (517) 264-7871 |
| Previous College: | New Orleans (La.) '97 |
Siena Heights University leadership recently announced the promotion of Sue Syljebeck as the new Vice President of Athletics. Additionally, SHU has announced hiring Candice Leatherwood, a Siena Heights Graduate College alum, as the new head women's basketball coach.
Syljebeck has been with Siena Heights University since 2004, joining the Saints as the seventh head coach in the history of the women's basketball program. In May 2019, she was named interim Athletic Director and then in January 2020, she accepted the official position as the university's athletic director while continuing her coaching responsibilities. Now, she has moved into a new role: the Vice President of Athletics.
Syljebeck's position as Vice President of Athletics will allow her to increase focus on expanding Siena Heights' athletic offerings, effectively fundraise for the athletic programs, and contribute valuable insights to the executive leadership team.
"Sue consistently demonstrates her commitment and love for the Siena Heights University community," noted Dr. Douglas Palmer, Ph.D., President of Siena Heights University. "I am extremely excited about the future of our athletic programs, which continue to shine bright with her guidance. I have been very impressed with the continued insights Sue has to offer the leadership team at Siena Heights."
Throughout her tenure as head women's basketball coach, Syljebeck has had seven appearances at the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament, with their most recent appearance happening in the 2023-24 season. In March 2014, Syljebeck's team advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the NAIA Tournament. Syljebeck finishes her time in the coaching profession after tying the school's single-season record with 27 wins in 2023-24; she won 20 games in the WHAC her final year – the most in program history.
Additionally, Syljebeck has the most career wins in the program's history with a career record of 386-233 record. She holds the highest winning percentage in SHU history at this point in her career with a mark of .624. She is also the most successful women's basketball coach in league play, boasting a 231-130 record (.640-win percentage) in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. She has coached several NAIA First, Second, and Third-Team All-Americans, and six players have been Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America honorable mentions under Syljebeck's tenure. Saints' women have won three WHAC Player of the Year awards and two Newcomer of the Year accolades under Syljebeck.
As Athletic Director, Syljebeck helped launch multiple new athletic programs, bringing on Men's and Women's Wrestling, and Stunt in 2023, as well as Women's Flag Football beginning in 2025. She also helped the athletic department navigate COVID-19 protocols and precautions and managed to continue athletic events amidst the pandemic.
Stated Syljebeck, "I am thankful for the opportunity Dr. Palmer has offered me and am excited to be a part of the executive leadership team. I look forward to advancing the athletic department even further and creating more fundraising opportunities."
Syljebeck coached the Siena Heights women’s basketball program’s first-ever NAIA First Team All-American, April Watson. Watson, the 2017 SHU graduate, went on to play professionally for TGN Spain, based in Tarragona, Spain.
Syljebeck came to Siena Heights from NCAA Division I school Nicholls State (La.). At Nicholls State, she was the associate head coach before being promoted to interim head coach during the 2003-04 campaign. Syljebeck has also coached at Southern Illinois and New Orleans (La.).
Syljebeck graduated from New Orleans in 1997 with her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Performance and Health Promotion. After a successful playing career, she then went on to receive her Master’s of Science degree in Physical Education from Southern Illinois in 2000.
