Lee Suarez

Lee Suarez served Principia for 36 years as volleyball coach, athletics director and faculty member. As Principia's head volleyball coach from 1971-99, she compiled more than 300 wins. During her tenure at the helm, Suarez was named the SLIAC Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1993, and she also served on a national ranking committee and had an article published in an American Volleyball Coaches' Association (AVCA) publication. In 1999, Suarez made the move from coach to administrator when she became the Director of Athletics, a role she served in until her retirement in 2008. She was the first female and ethnic minority to serve in the athletics director role at Principia, as well as being one of the first woman administrators in the Conference.

Suarez worked tirelessly in her administrative role, serving both Principia and the SLIAC. She served as President of the Conference from 2004-06 and also as Chair of the Administrative Council in 2005-06 and Past Chair in 2006-08. She was also instrumental in the development of many policies and procedures that form the current-day SLIAC manual. On campus she oversaw two huge construction projects; the construction of the Coach Crafton Athletic Center and Natatorium and the renovation of Hay Field House. She also developed Principia's Gold and Blue Hall of Fame. In addition to all her work within intercollegiate athletics, Suarez also help to start Principia's Sport Management program, in which she held the rank of professor, and she taught physical education classes and served as department chair for many year, as well as holding faculty leadership positions.