By: Jerry Del Priore

After teaching physical education and coaching soccer and lacrosse since 1994 at Randolph High School, Colleen Suflay jumped at the opportunity to fill the open athletic director position at Mount Olive High School on Monday, July 19th.  

“I love high school sports and I love coaching,” Suflay said. “But I’m thrilled to have a new, different set of responsibilities. When the position came up at Mount Olive, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. We share the same value system.” 

Suflay wasted little time getting motivated, hitting the ground running. She said she gave up a part of her summer to get acclimated to her new work environment while continuing the winning Marauders’ tradition. But she made it clear that she didn’t mind it one bit. 

“My work schedule started a little earlier than I anticipated,” she said. “But I’m loving every minute of it. I’m beginning to understand the environment, the process of getting things done, and the strengths of the program.” 

Suflay is Mount Olive’s third athletic director in four years. She is replacing Mark Grillo, who is now the principal of Tinc Road School, an elementary school in Flanders. Before Grillo, Dave Fellini had been the athletic director for 14 years and is now a Mount Olive vice-principal. 

In addition to getting accustomed to her new surroundings, Suflay, a Mount Olive resident, has been busy getting to know her coaches. She said that they are a great group of dedicated professionals who are chomping at the bit to return to a full season of New Jersey high school sports at Mount Olive after COVID-19 shortened the athletic year. 

“I’ve been spending a lot of time building relationships with them,” Suflay said.  “They’re excited to get going. I think they’re extremely passionate about high school sports, as I am.” 

For now, as far as COVID-19 restrictions go, Suflay said, “I’m just happy we’re able to get them up and running. Everyone is scheduled for a regular season.” 

After graduating from Sachem High School on Long Island, Suflay earned a degree in Teaching Education from Kean College, where she was a four-year starter on the women’s soccer team, receiving recognition and awards such as All-Conference, Big Blue Award, and Regional All-American Honors.

As for her advanced education,  Suflay earned a masters in education and her principal certification. 

Additionally, Suflay had been the Rams’ girls soccer coach for 25 years and the president of the Morris County Girls Soccer Coaches’ Association. 

Therefore, she completely understands what coaches endure in any given season. The ups and downs, and the countless hours put in to prepare for games while imparting vital life lessons to the student-athletes. 

“I have lived it, I learned it,” Suflay explained. “I am there to provide support to all of these coaches. I love sports. I’m so pro high school sports,” Suflay explained. “I’m passionate about it because it’s a great way to grow (as a person). It’s a microcosm of life. It’s a little part of what these kids will go through in life.”