September 10, 2025

CLEVELAND STATE APPOINTS SUZANNE STRUDWICK AS NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Cleveland State is proud to announce the hiring of Suzanne Strudwick as the new athletic director of the Cougar athletic department. Strudwick comes to Cleveland State from Carson Newwman University where she has been the Assoicate Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator. Prior to that, she was the Lady Eagles Head Women's Golf Coach.

Strudwick brings over 20 years of experience in athletic operations, fundraising, collegiate coaching, sports education, and professional golf. A former LPGA Tour professional and LPGA Rookie of the Year (1993), she has an impressive track record of leadership, compliance oversight, and student-athlete advocacy.

Over the last few years, she's taken on another passion, teaching golf. Most recently, Strudwick was an instructor at Fairways and Greens Golf Center in Knoxville, Tenn.

She is a TPI Level 3 certified Junior instructor and Level 2 Golf Coach. Strudwick is well regarded within the golf industry as reaching the highest level of training and coaching and is regularly asked to consult with other PGA Members, course owners on how to improve & increase junior programs.

In 2011, Strudwick was named the Tennessee PGA Junior Teacher of the Year and was named to U.S. Kids Top 50 Kid Teachers. She replicated the U.S. Kids honor in 2012 in addition to being named the PGA Knoxville Junior Leader of the Year.

Highlights from her career include:

Founder of Golf Academy ONE™, Tennessee's premier junior golf academy
Associate Athletic Director at Carson-Newman University, managing a $10M+ budget and overseeing multiple sports programs
100% graduation rate for student-athletes as head coach of Carson-Newman's Women's Golf Team
Raised over $100,000 for athletic programs and established an endowed scholarship
Service on NCAA committees and advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and student-athlete welfare

"Suzanne's strategic vision, passion for mentoring, and proven ability to build successful athletic programs make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our athletic department, student life, and community presence," remarked Dr. Willie Thomas, Vice President of Student Affairs.