One of the best players to ever wear a William Paterson volleyball uniform,
Sue (Paskas) Downey’s greatest gift is her ability to impart her experiences to current Pioneers. Now in her 21st season as a William Paterson assistant coach in 2019, among the many examples of student-athletes who have improved their skill levels with her help are former standouts Holly Tedesco, Tara VanLaere, Kim Runge, Michelle Leeder, Shauna Van De Ree and 2009 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Player of the Year and WP Hall of Famer Kelly Helfrich.
A three-time all-NJAC performer, Downey enjoyed a stellar four-year career (1993-96) that saw her lead the Pioneers to a 20-win season in 1994 and a spot in the conference title match. For her efforts, she was inducted into the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, joining older brother and former Pioneer football star Craig for the only brother-sister duo in the Hall.
Downey completed a bachelor’s degree in exercise and movement science at William Paterson in 1997. She works as a personal fitness consultant in Paramus, and she and her husband, T.J., have a daughter, LeeAnn, and son, Jaxon.