Val Sussex, ’08, ’11

Director of Annual Giving & North Dakota Champions Club

vals@UNDfoundation.org | 701.777.4078 | Connect on LinkedIn

Why I Wear Green

UND means the world to me. I was fortunate to get a great degree at UND while playing the sport that I loved. I want to do everything I can to make sure student-athletes today have the same amazing experience I had and leave UND with the same love for their University that I feel today.

Overview

Val wears two hats at the UND, serving as director of both the North Dakota Champions Club and the Annual Giving program. She runs the day-to-day operations of the Champions Club, promoting the accomplishments of UND Athletics. Whether organizing the bi-annual Champions Ball or manning the Champions Club tent during tailgating, she helps UND alumni and friends support our talented student-athletes as they fulfill their mission of being champions in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. Val brings the same skill and oversight to our Annual Giving campaign, making it easy for alumni and friends to contribute to University programs, priority needs, and student scholarships. 

A former UND women’s basketball player and coach, Val’s love of UND Athletics is shared with her family. She spends her free time coaching and watching her children, Baker and Lauren, compete in sports. When they’re not participating in or watching a game, the family enjoys being outside, riding bike, and heading to the lake in the summer. They’re season pass holders at Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D., and visit the animals every chance they get.

Qualifications

• BS, Elementary Education with a minor in coaching, University of North Dakota
• MS, Educational Leadership with an emphasis in higher education, University of North Dakota

Knowledge

Val lives and breathes UND Athletics, and for her, there is no off-season. Every summer, she travels around North Dakota and Minnesota leading the Champions Golf Tour. In the fall, the UND Hall of Fame banquet lets her connect with former student-athletes who laid the foundation for success at UND. During the winter months (aka basketball season), she provides color commentary during men’s and women’s basketball games for MidCo Sports. And when springtime hits, she looks forward to March Madness for all sports and the playoff runs of our student-athletes.