GORHAM, Maine    –   The University of Southern Maine has named John Sutyak its new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation following an extensive national search. An experienced athletic administrator with a proven record of success at the NCAA Division III level, Sutyak is a product of nearby Scarborough, Maine, and will begin his role with Huskies' Athletics on May 27, 2025. Currently the Director of Athletics at Husson University, Sutyak will remain with the Eagles through May 10.
 
"John's career in athletic administration is marked by outstanding athletic and academic success by student-athletes, the growth and success of highly competitive programs, and a deep commitment to the Division III principles and values," said University of Southern Maine President Jacqueline Edmondson. "We are excited to welcome John into this role. He will continue former Athletic Director Al Bean's legacy of excellence in athletics, and he will lead our Huskies well as we begin this new chapter of our programs."
 
"I am extremely grateful to Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson and the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation search committee for their faith in having me join the University of Southern Maine community," said Sutyak. "As a proud graduate of Scarborough High School, I have seen the difference the University of Southern Maine has made in the lives of so many students over the years, as well as the leaders that have been developed and continue to contribute to our society, especially here in Maine. The opportunity to come home and join in this work with so many talented coaches, staff and faculty is a privilege I don't take lightly."  
 
With more than 20 years in various leadership roles in intercollegiate athletics, Sutyak has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of necessary support and administrative efforts to sustain a high-level collegiate athletics program and to provide an outstanding co-curricular experience for Southern Maine's nearly 500 student-athletes and 23 NCAA Division III teams.
 
"University of Southern Maine athletics is well respected within our region, and nationally, among our NCAA Division III peers," noted Sutyak. "I am humbled at the opportunity to join this athletic department and work to continue, and elevate, the proud tradition of athletic success at the University of Southern Maine."
 
Serving as the Director of Athletics at Husson University since 2023, Sutyak spent three years in the same role at Ferrum College in Virginia (a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference). Prior to his post at Ferrum, Sutyak spent 14 years in various leadership positions at Wheaton College (Mass.) working his way up from assistant director of athletics in 2006 before being promoted to associate director of athletics, and later, director of athletics in April of 2012. 
 
During his eight-year tenure as Director of Athletics at Wheaton, the Lyons achieved remarkable success, including 16 conference titles, 33 NCAA championship appearances, four individual national titles, 91 All-Americans, 26 conference athletes of the year, and 14 coach of the year recipients. Sutyak also played a key role in the development and construction of Wheaton's first artificial surface athletic field, the Diane Nordin '80 Athletic Field, which was a $3.8 million project. 
 
At Ferrum, Sutyak's five-year strategic planning, and partnership with institutional advancement, led to athletics' philanthropy growth of 550 percent, including the development of a corporate sponsorship program, renovation of its softball facility, and the establishment of the Black Hat Endowment. During Sutyak's tenure at Ferrum, the athletic department served as host for the 2023 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championship.
 
While at Husson, Sutyak stewarded the Eagles to outstanding success within the North Atlantic Conference, and at the NCAA Division III level. Since August of 2023, Husson has claimed 11 conference titles, and earned six NCAA national championship berths.  In the spring of 2024, both the Husson baseball and softball teams advanced to their regional finals, with the softball team serving as the number one seed and host team of the Bangor, Maine regional.
 
At the national level, Sutyak currently serves the NCAA as the chair of Division III nominating committee, and has been a representative on the NCAA Region 1 baseball advisory committee. He currently holds positions on the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) on its board of directors, and chairs the communications committee.  
 
Sutyak earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from Wheaton College (Mass.) in May 2000, and received his Master of Education in Athletic Administration from Springfield College in 2002. A 1996 graduate of Scarborough High School, Sutyak was a member of Scarborough's baseball and basketball teams.  In his senior season, Sutyak was a finalist for the 1996 Maine Mr. Baseball Award (later known as the Dr. John Winkin Award). As a four-year baseball player for Wheaton College, he was a member of the college's first varsity baseball team in 1997, the program's first two NEWMAC championship teams in 1999 and 2000, and a part of its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2000.

Sutyak is married to Carmen Garcia Sutyak; he and Carmen have a daughter, Sydney.
 
 
 
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