La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse volleyball team has announced Deb Sazama as its assistant coach. She will also serve as UWL's Special Assistant to the Athletic Director. 

Sazama has worked in UWL's Exercise Sport Science Department since 2014, serving as Associate Chair since July 2021. Her responsibilities included scheduling all courses in the department and each teaching responsibilities for each faculty and staff member. Sazama was the Director of the UWL Greater La Crosse Area Physical Education Program since September 2018 and Physical Education Teacher Education Program Director since August 2017. She was also the Director of the UWL Youth Sport and Fitness Camp. 

Other teaching experience includes at Loras College (Iowa), Winona State University (Minn.), Defiance College (Ohio) and the University of Wyoming. 

"I am so excited for Deb to be officially joining our family," said UWL head coach Amber Dunn. "We have been able to use her expertise over the last five years as a volunteer. She will be an integral part of our future and the development of our women! I can't wait for what's to come."

Sazama was the assistant women's volleyball coach at Winona State (Minn.) from 2003-06, assisting with all aspects of the Warriors' program. Prior to arriving at Winona State (Minn.), Sazama was the head women's volleyball coach at Defiance (Ohio) from 2000-03. The Yellow Jackets finished 23-8 overall and 5-2 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2002. Defiance (Ohio) set a school record for wins. The Yellow Jackets were 21-9 in 2001 as Sazama was named the conference coach of the year. 

She has volleyball camp and club experience with the Xtreme Volleyball Club, UWL Elite Volleyball Camp, Winona (Minn.) Area Volleyball Club, Winona State (Minn.), Defiance (Ohio) and Northwest (Ohio) Volleyball Camps, Inc. 

Sazama earned her Bachelor's (1993) and Master's (1997) of Science Degrees from the University of Wyoming. She earned her Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2017. She competed in track & field at Wyoming, serving as team captain. 

Athletic administration experience includes faculty athletic representative at Loras (Iowa) as well as assistant athletic director and senior women's administrator at Defiance (Ohio). 

UWL finished 20-11 overall and 4-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in 2021.