Sue Ushela returns for her fourth season of work as an assistant coach at Valparaiso University. Over her first three seasons on the staff, the Crusaders have amassed a 76-23 record. The 2003 and 2004 squads earned Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament championships, while becoming the first two Crusader teams to earn berths in the NCAA Tournament.

With the Crusaders, Ushela coordinates the program's recruiting efforts along with handling the team’s travel arrangements.  She also assists on the floor, works on game preparation and scouting, and assists with the summer camps.

Ushela arrived at Valpo after serving as an assistant coach at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind. during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, along with 1998.

At St. Mary's, Ushela was a part of the program's rebuilding process.  She also directed the school's volleyball camps for two years, and has also been affiliated with junior club volleyball since 1987.

Ushela played her collegiate volleyball at the University of Georgia where she earned various accolades.  She was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection along with being named to the All-SEC Tournament Team.  For her efforts in the classroom, Ushela earned Southeastern Conference All-Academic honors as well.

She served as the Bulldogs team captain during her junior and senior campaigns, while also earning team Most Valuable Player honors.

Ushela's name can still be found in the Georgia record books on several occasions.  She ranks as the Bulldogs single season solo block record holder after rejecting 66 shots in 1982.  The four-year letterwinner also ranks among Georgia's top-five career marks in games played, solo blocks, and total blocks.  In addition, she is the Bulldog's career service ace leader.

Ushela played her high school volleyball at South Bend Adams where she led the team to the state championship in 1978.  She was named to the Carnation All-American Team in both volleyball and basketball as well.

Also in high school, Ushela was named to the All-Northern Indiana Conference Team three times, the first player to receive that honor on three occasions.

Ushela spent 15 years as a player in the United States Volleyball Association and also served as a certified USVA official in Michiana Region.

Ushela graduated from Georgia in 1985 with a degree in business management and currently resides in South Bend, Ind.  She received her master’s degree in sports administration from Valpo in 2004.