Colleen Suwara
Colleen Suwara was the Head Coach of the Grossmont College 'Griffins' Women's Volleyball team for twelve seasons. During her tenure, Grossmont won ten (10) Pacific Coast Conference Championship Titles, two as PCC Co-Champs. They also won two (2) California State Titles in 1987 and 1989, a strong 2nd in the state finish in 1990, and a finish of 4th in the state in 1992.

In the twelve years that Colleen Suwara was the Head Coach of Grossmont College, she compiled a Pacific Coast Conference record of 122-10 (.92%), a Conference 'Win Streak' from 1985-1992 of 82 in a row, and an overall record of 196-57 (.78%).

Colleen has been recognized by her peers on numerous occasions. She was named Pacific Coast Conference "Coach of the Year" eight (8) times. In 1987, Colleen was named the ASICS Tiger/Volleyball Monthly "National Community College Coach of the Year." She was also named "Female Coach of the Year" for the Pacific Coast Conference four (4) times, in 1986,'87, '89, and '90. Colleen received the California Coaches Association Community College "Coach of the Year" Award two (2) times, in 1988 and 1992. In 1989 Colleen was chosen as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) "National Community College Coach of the Year," and was featured in a cover article for the April/May issue of the "Coaching Volleyball Journal."

Colleen attended UC Santa Barbara in 1973 and '74 where she was a member of the women's volleyball team that finished 3rd in the nation both years for NCAA Division 1 Universities. In 1976 and '77 she was the captain of the San Diego State University Women's Volleyball team. She then became assistant coach for her husband Rudy for the SDSU women's volleyball team and coached there in 1978,'79, and '80.
In 1982, Colleen founded the San Diego Juniors Volleyball Club where she was Director and Head Coach until she began coaching at Grossmont College.

Colleen continued her playing career in several United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) teams. In 1984, she was the player coach for a team that finished 2nd in the nation in the Women's Open Division. In 1985 and 1992, her senior Women's team won the USVBA Senior Division, and Colleen was named "All-American" both years.

Colleen retired from coaching the Women's volleyball team after the 1997 season. She continued to teach physical education classes at Grossmont College until 2001. She is now enjoying writing songs and stories and playing her guitar. She also enjoys creating photo art of dogs and cats to raise money to help shelter animals.

Colleen credits her success to her brother Terry, for teaching her the game, and her husband Rudy, for training and coaching her as an athlete, and teaching her how to be a successful coach. She would also like to thank her assistant coaches for their loyal help during her tenure, Paul, Steve, John and Barbara.