The Notre Dame High School field on Union street now has a name.
Bill Sutherland Field.
Named after a Notre Dame alumni/athlete, coach, teacher and administrator whose contributions expanded through six decades.
Sutherland passed away in August of 2020 at age 71.
During halftime at today’s football match up between Notre Dame and Alexander High School, members of Sutherland’s family along with many extended family, traveled to Batavia to celebrate the naming of the field in his honor.
The idea to name the field after Sutherland was spearheaded by the NDHS Class of 1967, Sutherland’s classmates. The Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, along with ND alumni, thought it was fitting to honor Sutherland at the place where he impacted so many.
“Bill helped shape the hearts and minds of Notre Dame students as a coach, teacher and administrator,” says Athletic Director Mike Rapone.
“As a coach, he was known for his love of his players and a desire to see them excel on the field, in the classroom, and most importantly in life.”
In his 41 years at Notre Dame High School, Sutherland collected 7 Genesee Region football titles, 13 baseball titles, 2 Bishop Smith baseball championships, 4 Section V titles in football, 7 in baseball and 3 consecutive golf championships.
During his time at Notre Dame, he taught Global Studies and Physical Education and served as Director of Athletics several times. He also filled in as Interim Principal in 1994.
In 1995, Bill “Sudsy” Sutherland was the only person inducted into the Notre Dame Hall of Fame as a player and a coach. In 2007, Section V inducted Sutherland into their Hall of Fame.
“He was known for his fiery intensity and his ability to motivate his players. He was an excellent teacher and motivated his students to perform at a high level.”
