Sutterfield to Retire at End of School Year
Longtime Highland Park girls athletic director and cross country head coach Jerry Sutterfield announced he is retiring at the end of the school year.
“It’s been a long career,” Sutterfield said. “I did it when I wanted to do it. You don’t make a life decision like this all of the sudden. My family and I have sat and talked about it quite a bit. I’ve been doing this 30-plus years. I’ve had a great career, and I’m healthy and young for retirement. There are things I want to do.”
Sutterfield, 56, has been with the district since 1985. He has been the head cross country coach since 1994, leading the Lady Scots to nine state championships, including three straight. His teams had either an individual or team at the state meet every year he was head coach. Current girls track and field head coach Susan Bailey will take over for Sutterfield as cross country head coach.
Sutterfield, an Oklahoma State graduate, also coached basketball, football, wrestling, and track and field during his tenure. He became the girls athletic director in 2002. Only one current coach, boys gymnastics head coach Mark Sherman, has been at Highland Park longer than Sutterfield.
There will be a retirement celebration for Sutterfield on June 13.
Great guy. He has done an incredible job. Sad to see him go.
My daughter adores Coach Sutterfield. I am VERY sad to see him go.
My daughter said recently “Mom, if I didn’t have a family member to give me away at my wedding I would ask Coach Sutterfield.”
He means that much to our family.
Momof4, if your daughter would be willing to say that on the record, we’d love to include her comment in a print story about Coach Sutterfield’s retirement. Please ask her to email Chuck at chuck.cox@peoplenewspapers.com.
I graduated from HPHS in 2004 and ran track and cross country for Coach Sutterfield. Throughout my 12 years in the HP school system, he is the educator that made the most difference in my life. In addition to running an extremely succesful athletic program, he has helped hundreds of girls build confidence and character, myself included. I am so happy that he has led such a successful career and I wish him a fun and fulfilling retirement. I cannot think of one person who ran for Coach Sutterfield who does not share this sentiment. Thank you, Coach Sutterfield!