1-General | 8/19/2026 11:55:00 AM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla.— Sue Syljebeck joins the Buccaneer athletic department as senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator this fall, director of athletics Dr. Scott Smith announced.
"We are fortunate to have Sue join our senior leadership team," Smith said. "The depth and breadth of her leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our department."
Syljebeck comes to The Shores from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich. SHU was a sister school to Barry, being also sponsored by the Adrian Dominican order. Starting as the women's basketball coach in 2004, she progressed in the department to athletic director and finally vice president of athletics and enrollment at the NAIA institution, which closed its doors in June of this year.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to work at Barry, with the incredible staff they have," Syljebeck said. "It's great to continue in the Adrian Dominican tradition, after spending over 20 at the sister school."
As the women's basketball coach, Syljebeck made seven appearances at the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament, most recently in the 2023-24 season. In March 2014, Syljebeck's team advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the NAIA Tournament. Syljebeck finished her time in the coaching profession with ten 20-win seasons, including a school's single-season record of 27 wins in both 2019-20 and 2023-24. She has the most career wins in the program's history with a career record of 386-233 record and holds the highest winning percentage in SHU history with a mark of .624.
As an administrator, 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.
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 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 & 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.
