March 13, 2008

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University Director of Athletics Bob Marcum has announced the hiring of John Sutherland as Marshall's Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Big Green Scholarship Foundation.

"We went through a lengthy search and interview process and found that the high-caliber candidate who best fit the position was already here," Marcum said. "John is an outstanding individual who has done a magnificent job with development in regards to our women's basketball program and I am looking forward to having him take the Big Green to new levels."

Sutherland will oversee all areas of athletic development for Marshall University's Big Green Scholarship Foundation. He replaces R.J. Gimbl who took an athletics development position at Penn State University in January.

"I have had the opportunity to work at development in each of my coaching stops and I have enjoyed the challenge of making programs better," Sutherland said. "The only way you can do that is by getting the community involved. For me, it is a fun and challenging task to get people to invest in something you believe in.

The one thing that will be difficult for me, as far as leaving coaching, is the kids. The team we have right now is special and I know that they have a great future ahead of them."

Sutherland, 48, has served as an assistant coach with the Marshall women's basketball program since 2000. In that role he spearheaded many successful fund-raising and marketing projects including the establishment of the "Locker Room Club" which raises more than $100,000 annually for the women's basketball program at Marshall. Other initiatives Sutherland has directed include golf scrambles, fundraisers, tailgates and banquets that have funded summer school scholarships for student-athletes and other improvements. He also oversaw the development and managed a season ticket drive for women's basketball that has resulted in an increase in season ticket sales from three in 2000 to 776 in 2003.

"Both of my parents were native West Virginians and this is home for me," Sutherland said. "When I came to Marshall seven years ago I was hoping I would have the opportunity to stay here. The one thing I did not realize was the passion and the loyalty that Marshall fans have for all sports and it not like that everywhere. This is a special place and I am looking forward to meeting more of our fans and working to help all of our student-athletes and coaches."

Sutherland brings nearly 30 years of experience as a coach and fundraiser to the position. During his tenure as head women's basketball coach at New Mexico State (from 1996-2000) he expanded the women's basketball booster club and initiated NMSU's first-ever season ticket campaign for women's basketball. As an assistant coach at Notre Dame (1993-96) he helped establish the Notre Dame "Locker Room Club" and developed the Fighting Irish's first season ticket drive for the sport. During his nine years as head coach at the University of Arkansas (1984-93), Sutherland worked to develop fund-raising initiatives for the Lady Razorback program. He started his coaching career as a student-assistant at Kent State in 1978 and joined the Arkansas staff as an assistant coach in 1981.

Sutherland graduated with a B.S. in Education from Kent State University in 1981 and earned a M.S. in Sports Management from Marshall in 2006. He and his wife Suzanne are the parents of three boys - Joshua (19), Sean (13) and Isaac (5). Joshua is currently a sophomore at Marshall.