With the Friends University Falcons clinching their first KCAC regular season championship since 2016 yesterday (Apr. 23), the groundwork that led to this moment was laid several years prior when Suzanne Unruh opted to leave a successful KCAC program that she had helped build for the allure of what could become at Friends in 2018.

"Suzanne has been a steady and trusted presence in our athletic department since her first day a Friends," said Dr. Rob Ramseyer, Friends University VP of Athletics & Strategic Expansion. "We started within a month of each other, and from the beginning, she has consistently built strong teams made up of great people. I'm thrilled to see her and her program earn a conference championship this year—it's a well-deserved recognition for her, her players, and her staff."

When she arrived on campus in 2018, Unruh did so with a sense of excitement and great responsibility.

As a former KCAC player and coach, Unruh had always admired Friends softball and its winning tradition. Her motivation for coming to Friends was to continue that success and be the best team in the KCAC.

"I just wanted to continue that success," Unruh said. "I also loved the idea of the leadership here. I loved President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey and Athletic Director Dr. Rob Ramseyer. I was excited regarding their vision, leadership, and support."

Coaching Philosophy

In her time at the helm, Unruh has strived to build not only a winning program but also a sustainable one. Now with a conference regular season title in tow along with a pair of tournament titles and three NAIA national tournament appearances, that goal has been validated.

The word she would use to describe her coaching philosophy is relationship. She spends a lot of time getting to know her players on and off the field, and she makes sure that they gel well together in the offseason.

Unruh believes that strong relationships are the foundation of a successful team.

"We spend a lot of time off the field getting to know each other, especially with our freshmen and new players," Unruh said. "It's important that they blend well with our returners and transfers. We also continue to build leadership among our upperclassmen. It's all about making sure our relationships are as strong on the field as they are off the field."

The key to this season's success has been the fun, family environment that Unruh has created.

Her players love being at Friends University, working hard, and playing the game they love. The returners have been instrumental in passing down their experience and knowledge to the younger players. Watching their growth and hard work come together has been a joy for Unruh.

"I think just that trickles down to the younger girls," Unruh said. "Just having fun out there and loving the game."

Biggest Joy

Unruh's biggest joy in coaching is seeing her players grow over the years. She loves watching them develop into amazing ballplayers and seeing their character grow.

Some players come to Friends University and grow in their faith, which is something Unruh finds particularly rewarding.

She also takes pride in seeing her players become best friends with their teammates and maintaining those strong friendships long after their time at Friends University.

"It's even more of a joy to see the players on my team have strong friendships after their time here and how they are still best friends long after their years at Friends," Unruh said.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, Unruh wants to continue to compete at the top of the KCAC. She wants to bring in good kids who love the game and take school seriously.

Unruh believes that a great culture, good teammates, and a love for the game are what keep the program successful.

"I want to always compete," Unruh said. "I want to be at the top. I want to always bring in good kids that are fun to be around, that love the game, that take school seriously."

Unruh's passion for coaching and her dedication to building a sustainable program have been instrumental in the success of Friends University softball. With her leadership, the program is poised to continue its winning tradition and be a force in the KCAC for years to come.