BANGOR, Maine — Husson University announced the hiring of Maine native John Sutyak on Tuesday as its new director of athletics.
 
"Recognizing the importance of athletics in the life of the university and its role in student development, Husson is pleased to announce the appointment of John Sutyak as athletic director," said president Dr. Robert Clark. "John's extensive experience as athletic director at Ferrum College in Virginia and Wheaton College in Massachusetts will serve the Husson community well as we continue to lead the way in conference play.  As a Maine native John's enthusiasm for the role athletics plays in the life of the university is readily apparent.  We welcome his energy as we provide a robust, co-curricular experience that is a hallmark of the Husson Eagles' experience as it develops leaders on the field, in the classroom and in their professional lives."
 
Sutyak, a native of Scarborough, Maine, comes to Husson after serving as the director of athletics of Ferrum College — which competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) — since January of 2020. Sutyak earned his bachelor of arts in history from Wheaton College (Mass.) in 2000 and a master of education in athletic administration from Springfield College in 2002. At Wheaton he was a four-year member of the baseball team, including the programs first varsity season in 1997, the program's first two NEWMAC championship teams in 1999 and 2000, and part of its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2000.
 
During his time at Ferrum, Sutyak helped to grow athletics giving by 550%, oversaw the addition of men's and women's track & field, helped to lead a renovation of its softball facility and saw the establishment of the Black Hat Football Endowment to help support Ferrum's football program. 
 
Additionally, Sutyak played a key role in helping license Ferrum's athletic logos and marks with the Nexus Licensing Group and worked with the office of institutional advancement to develop a corporate sponsorship program, and was a key partner in Ferrum serving as the host institution for the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling national championship.
 
"Words can't describe how excited I am to be afforded the privilege to lead the athletics department at Husson University", said Sutyak. "Over the years, this institution has shown continued growth and been a leader in providing a high-level academic experience for its students. I look forward to working alongside the leadership of the college to complement our academic excellence by continuing to provide championship level experiences for our student-athletes. I want to thank Husson University president, Dr. Robert Clark, the board of trustees and the athletic director search committee for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to play a part in developing the leaders of tomorrow that will call themselves Husson University alumni. 
 
Sutyak brings a wealth of division III knowledge to a growing Eagles athletic department along with an important understanding of strategic planning, having developed a five-year plan at Ferrum to help enhance the student-athlete experience, grow internal operations and establish competitive goals for individual athletic programs. 
 
In addition to his responsibilities as director of athletics at Ferrum, Sutyak serves the NCAA as a member of its nominating committee and as the ODAC representative on the baseball regional rankings committee. Sutyak also was appointed to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors in 2022 and serves on the Wheaton College Hall of Fame committee. 
 
Prior to Ferrum, Sutyak spent over a decade at Wheaton in various roles, beginning as assistant sports information director and area coordinator in residential life before being promoted to associate director of athletics and later director of athletics in April of 2012. During his time with Wheaton, Sutyak was involved 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. 
 
Under Sutyak's direction, Wheaton qualified for 33 NCAA championships, won 16 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference regular season and conference titles, including baseball making the national championship game in 2012 and regional championships by softball in 2015 and baseball in 2017. 
 
Wheaton produced four individual national champions including two national athlete of the year honorees as well as 91 All-America selections, 26 conference athletes of the year and 14 conference coach of the year recipients, including four regional coach of the year winners. 
 
Furthermore, Sutyak spent time as an assistant baseball coach at Western New England University from 2001-02 and spent three years at Yale University working in varsity sport operations and athletic facilities. 
 
Sutyak will now spearhead an athletics department that won 10 conference championships during the 2022-23 season, sent four teams to the NCAA postseason, hosted a New England Football Bowl and produced nine conference athlete of the year recipients.