Suzy Willemssen

“It’s truly been a humbling experience to see the growth in our organization. All of the incredible people that wish to join our Glory family and wanting to be a part of our mission of Purpose Driven Softball. I can’t express enough gratitude to you all — players, parents, fans and the fantastic coaching staff — for allowing me to be a part of your journey.” -Suzy

---

Local Community Involvement

Chair, Fairfax County Fastpitch Softball Council, 2013-Present
President, Fairfax Youth Fastpitch Association, 2012-2015
VP, FCGSL, 2000-2012
Member, Fairfax County Athletic Council

---

Suzy started her vision of Purpose Driven Softball in 2010 with her 18U Glory Gold team. This Glory guiding mission has resonated with so many others looking for an organization where everyone must give each other their best, wanting an environment where athletes can discover their greatness and be a part of an organization that aligns people’s talents and passions — where players, coaches, and parents all share a deep responsibility to serve and give to one another.

In such a short period of time, the Glory has grown to 20 teams in Virginia and the upper Midwest who want to be part of this Purpose Driven Softball movement.

Giving back to the community is paramount to the mission of the Glory organization. Furthermore, under her guidance, the VA Glory organization, through its annual Strikeout Cancer Camp & Tournament, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last eight years for Children’s National Hospital and Cancer Research. This showcases Coach Suzy’s immense commitment to giving back to the community and making a positive difference beyond the softball field.

The author, creator and embodiment of “#SistaFire” – her passion, not solely for the game and the competition, but for the people and their personal development is evident in every word she speaks, every Tweet she posts and every action she displays. Just look at her daily motivational Tweets that now have a nationwide following. Softball folks across this nation come up to her in the airport and just say thank you for those simple but profound words she shares each morning without fail.

Reflections: Voices from Those Whose Lives Suzy’s Touched

Kaylie Avvisato, Northwestern University, Class of 2028, Under Suzy’s guidance, my softball performance has improved significantly. She always makes time out of her busy schedule to train me by myself outside of our regular team practices and because of that my batting, fielding, and even pitching skills have flourished, and I owe much of my progress to her expert coaching techniques. However, what sets Coach Suzy apart is her dedication to person over player. She has been a true role model, teaching me the values of perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Suzy’s emphasis on hard work, passion and personal growth has undoubtedly translated into other areas of my life, helping me excel academically and in my personal pursuits.

Suzy’s mentorship and servant’s heart became even more crucial in the recent years. She became a main source of support for me and my family during an extremely challenging time, offering guidance and encouragement that extended well beyond the softball field. Coach Suzy is my role model, my trusted confidante, and a source of inspiration to me. She has and continues to guide me through the tough times and always pushes me to be my best both as a person and player. I would not be the person I am today without her.

Megan Davies, Harvard University, Class of 2027, Coach Suzy is unlike any coach I’ve ever had. Her genuine care and passion for her players and the game is so apparent in everything she does, and she has guided me to become the person and player I am today. I remember one time when I had a tough tournament in Colorado, and I was really struggling with my mentality both on and off the field. Coach Suzy and I had a conversation about it, and her words were the catalyst for pulling me out of that low point, restoring my confidence and forever impac?ng the way I thought about myself and my role within sofball. I would not be where I am today without that conversa?on. I am endlessly grateful for all Coach Suzy has done and contnues to do for the world of sofball, and I am incredibly honored to have called her my coach.

Abi Britton, Penn State University, Class of 2028, One thing I love about Coach Suzy is how straight forward she is. At the end of every season I ask her what she thinks I need to improve on to be successful. I vividly remember Coach Suzy sitting down with me and responding to my question with “Do you want nice or do you want honest?” Being the player and person I am I chose honest. From this moment on, Coach Suzy and I have always had a very open relationship about my pitching. We are always communicating on ways I can improve and ways she can help me. She is always there for me no matter what and I wouldn’t have wanted to play for anyone else.

Sydney Parlett, Lehigh University, Class of 2026, To put it simply, Coach Suzy embodies all of the characteristics you would expect from a strong, independent female role model. While she is as tough as nails, never wavering from what she believes in, she has such a soC side that eloquently accompanies her grit. She makes every player feel supported not only as an athlete, but as a person, as well, which is arguably most important. I accredit Coach Suzy with much of the success that I’ve seen in my softball career, and I have become a much stronger woman just by admiring her leadership.

Ali Pollack, Virginia Wesleyan University, Class of 2026, Coach Suzy impacted me as a person and a player by allowing me to grow exponentially. When I first joined Suzy’s team, I definitely didn’t have all the skills my teammates had, but she saw the potential in me, and coached me into the college athlete I am today. Her growth mindset of “you win some and you learn some” has always stuck with me and is the reason why the softball is con?nually enjoyable for me. Coach Suzy’s wealth of knowledge, competitive spirit, and ability to connect with players individually has shaped me into who I am today, and I am forever grateful for her.

Gigi Muhaw, Saint Joseph’s University, Class of 2027, In all my years I’ve spent playing travel softball, none compared to my final year. It truly was the most fun I’ve ever had and a big part of it was because of Coach Suzy. There is not enough adjectives to describe what an amazing human, coach and mentor Coach Suzy is. She has impacted me in all aspects as life, as a player and young woman. During the season I was taught all aspects of the game, mental and physical. She pushed our team past our limits because of potential she saw in us. Her constant “sista-fire” lit a flame into all of us and a next level of love for this game. As a young woman she taught us to be unapologetically ourselves, cheering and screaming as loud as we could. Our energy was truly next level. Now that I am in college and no longer a “pup” playing under Coach Suzy, she still constantly checks in, sending positive messages, articles and love. She is someone I can always count on.

Avery Miller, Longwood University, Class of 2027, Being coached by Coach Suzy has been one of the most impactful events in my life. I spent four years on Coach Suzy’s team where I learned not only the most important aspects of the game, but how to be the best version of myself. One of my biggest takeaways from being coached by her is where ever and whatever I’m doing in life whether it’s on the field or not, I should give 100% effort. Whether I find myself on the bench, in the line up, in the classroom, or in relationships I give the best, most positive version of myself. Her outlook on the game and in life has shaped every aspect of my life today.

Caitlyn Cornwell, University of Maryland, Class of 2027, Coach Suzy has impacted me as both a player and a person in so many ways but if I could name one way specifically I would say on my outlook on life. Nothing is negative with Coach Suzy. If we make a mistake in the game, we’re learning. If we strike out, we’re getting better. I apply this to my everyday life. No matter what happens I know that it is for a reason and I am only growing from it, and that is because of Coach Suzy and her outlook on life in the game. I wouldn’t be who I am without her.

Jo Koons, Head Coach, Abilene Christian University, I first met Suzy in Virginia a few years back, while watching her team compete. After watching her coach just a few innings, I could easily tell that her energy and passion for the game were unmatched. I knew I wanted to be around her, wanted to learn from her, and wanted to match her energy and passion. After getting to know her further, I can confirm that she is a coach with the utmost integrity, an incredible work ethic, and is extremely creative. She is a servant leader, and a great listener. Beyond those things, Suzy embraces athletes right where they are at, while continuing to challenge them and loving them through the highs and the lows. She can relate and connect with everyone she comes in contact with.

Whether you’ve known her for years, or only met a few minutes prior, you know that she genuinely cares about people. Because she cares so deeply, she is devoted to helping others pursue dreams for their lives and is committed to journey alongside them.

As a peer, I can honestly say that her presence in my life has helped shape my journey. Her wisdom, encouragement, and continuous educational conversations have been irreplaceable. She is incredibly involved in the growth of the great game we all love. I couldn’t begin to name all the amazing things she does, but one thing is certain, she loves this game and the people within so well. I feel so thankful to call her friend, and someone I aspire to be.

Bella Norton, Assistant Coach, University of Missouri, Coach Suzy has such a big place in my heart. She saw me, and saw my potential as a coach. She took me in and gave me my true start into coaching. Right before I graduated college at Indiana University, Coach Suzy called me and asked me to be the 14U Glory National Head Coach. That opportunity changed my entire life. It gave me purpose. She was right next to me, guiding me unconditionally. My first year coaching was a learning experience to say the least. Having Coach Suzy guide me through it has molded me into the coach I am today. She held me to the highest standards and gave me the deepest grace. She pushed me to lean into my curiosity, she challenged me and believed in me through every moment. She also gave me a group of girls and a team that gave me my “why.” I am forever grateful for the opportunity she gave me and her unwavering belief in me.

Kevin Bednoski, Assistant Coach with Coach Suzy, VA Glory, Coach Suzy’s remarkable journey through softball has not only etched her name in the annals of the sport but has also left an indelible mark on all those she has coached, mentored and learned from over the course of decades. It is this exceptional journey, marked by her fervent passion for the game, her outstanding contributions to the game and her desire to be a lifelong learner and contributor that has earned her widespread respect and admiration on a national scale.

Beyond her success as a coach, what truly sets Coach Suzy apart is her unwavering emphasis on nurturing the individual beyond their role as a player. She stands as a genuine role model, instilling in her players the core values of joy, love, perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Suzy’s coaching transcends the technical aspects of our wonderful sport. She possesses a rare and authentic ability to forge personal connections with her players, cultivating an environment of trust, respect, and camaraderie. Through the years, Suzy has not only honed her players’ softball skills but has also diligently nurtured their self-confidence, leadership capabilities, and overall character.

Another facet of Suzy’s remarkable career is her activism for equal opportunity in the sport of softball, particularly for young girls in local communities. She has lobbied for millions of dollars from local governments, advocating for increased support for young female athletes and providing them with the opportunities they deserve. Suzy not only imparts the history of Title IX to her players but also reinforces the importance of carrying the torch and upholding the legacy for future generations.

While her impressive tally of over 1,300 wins speaks to her on-field success, it is her ability to teach skill development at the highest levels, drive personal growth through constant motivation, instill confidence by showing each player how valuable they are as a person, and empower young female athletes that unequivocally warrant her to be included with the greats of our game. Suzy Willemssen’s journey in the world of softball has been one of dedication, inspiration, and a genuine love for the game. Her coaching philosophy goes beyond the diamond, shaping the lives of countless athletes and contributing significantly to the growth of the sport.