Juliet Suess Named Trailblazing LGBTQ Coach of the Year by NCAA DIII

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chapman Athletics is delighted to announce that the head coach of swim and dive, Juliet Suess, has been awarded the NCAA Division III LGBTQ Coach of the Year. 

Please refer to the NCAA’s complete announcement below: 

The two recipients for the 2024 Division III LGBTQ of the Year are Emerald Svienty, a men’s cross country athlete at North Central (Illinois), and Juliet Suess, head coach of swimming and diving at Chapman. The honorees were recognized at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Division III LGBTQ of the Year Recognition Award Program, launched by the Division III LGBTQIA+ Working Group, is designed to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the scholarly achievements, athletic excellence, service, and leadership of LGBTQ student-athletes, as well as the service, leadership, and advocacy for LGBTQ inclusion by an LGBTQ athletics administrator, coach, or staff member. The Athletics Department/Conference of the Year Award was not awarded this year. 

2024 Division III LGBTQ Administrator/Coach/Staff of the Year Award

Juliet Suess, head swimming and diving coach, Chapman

Juliet Suess has utilized their influence on Chapman’s campus to advocate, educate, and enhance awareness surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. Suess, who identifies as nonbinary, has participated in podcasts, been featured in various articles, and served as a guest speaker in multiple classes. They are also a member of an LGBTQ+ advisory committee on campus and have participated in various panels for LGBTQ+ events, including for Preview Day for incoming students. Suess has led an initiative to formulate new policies and procedures on campus. They stated that their most significant achievement has been their involvement as an advisor on the IMPACT Committee, which aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 

“In my capacity as IMPACT chair, I am working to develop DEI-based policies while ensuring that all policies are inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals,” Suess expressed. “I have been interviewed by a range of students, indicating that my presence and effect on campus extend beyond just sports and my department. It has been rewarding to be in the classroom and to have students I’ve never met seek me out for guidance and perspectives.”