ALLIANCE, Ohio — The University of Mount Union has announced that long-time head women's basketball coach Suzy Venet will transition into a full-time role as Associate Athletic Director at Mount Union.  
 
Venet, who has spent the past 21 seasons leading the Purple Raiders as the head coach, will step away from coaching to focus entirely on athletic administration. She has held additional roles, while coaching, as assistant athletic director, senior woman administrator, and compliance director. 
 
"It's hard to think I'm retiring from coaching, but I'm very excited about the next chapter in my life," Venet said. "I want to thank Coach Larry Kehres and President Giese for hiring me back to Mount Union to lead the women's basketball program. It was a joy and honor to be the head coach of this program that I love for 21 years. I'm so grateful to all my assistant coaches, players, and alums who dedicated their time and effort to help ensure our success on and off the court. I would be remiss without saying thanks to my mentors Dee Knoblauch and Michelle Bohan for their guidance and leadership when I was a player and as I started my coaching career. I will miss my team, the opportunity to strategize, and the competition of gameday. Finally, I want to thank President Greg King, Athletic Director Mike Parnell, and VP Pat Heddleston for offering me this exciting opportunity and believing in me. I look forward to helping our athletic programs and continuing to impact the lives of student-athletes at this great University!" 
 
"Suzy has been a dedicated leader of our women's basketball program and a loyal member of our administrative team," said Mount Union Athletic Director Mike Parnell. "Her transition into this full-time administrative role will allow our department to benefit from her experience and passion for Mount Union athletics." 
 
Venet compiled over 300 wins at Mount Union, securing her place as the winningest coach in program history. Under her guidance, the Purple Raiders captured four Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament championships and two OAC regular-season titles. She led the program to four NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by runs to the Sweet 16 in 2010 and 2012. Venet was recognized as the OAC Coach of the Year three times (2011, 2012, 2016) and was twice named the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year by both the WBCA and D3hoops.com. 
 
As a standout Mount Union student-athlete, Venet was a two-time OAC Player of the Year and an All-American. She was an integral part of the most successful women's basketball runs in school history as the Raiders made three trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament, finishing runner-up in the nation in 1996 and a third-place national finish in 1998 during a school-record 29-win season. Venet still holds program records for most points in a single season (587), career assists (843), career triple-doubles (10), and career quadruple-doubles (2), while ranking fifth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,528 points. She graduated in 1998 from Mount Union with degrees in sports medicine and physical education.  
 
An extensive search for the next head coach of the Mount Union women's basketball team will begin immediately.