Joey Sutherlin

Joey Sutherlin

Joey Sutherlin

Assistant Athletic Director / Director of Athletic Communications

Joey Sutherlin joined Aquinas College Athletics in January 2025 as Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Communications, bringing nearly four decades of experience in athletic communications, broadcasting, sports administration and aquatics leadership.

As the department's chief storyteller, Sutherlin oversees every facet of Athletic Communications for the Saints' 28 varsity programs. His responsibilities include media relations, strategic communications, feature writing, website management, social media, statistics, historical archives, publications, photography, video production, live streaming and game-day communications. His passion is simple: telling the stories of the student-athletes, coaches and people who make Aquinas Athletics special.

A lifelong West Michigan resident, Sutherlin has dedicated his career to promoting athletics at every level. Before joining Aquinas full-time, he served as Aquatics Director and Assistant Athletic Director for Kentwood Public Schools following more than a decade in similar leadership roles at Grand Rapids Community College, where he also served as Sports Information Director and an adjunct professor. He remains an active American Red Cross Instructor Trainer, helping educate future lifeguards, instructors and aquatic professionals throughout Michigan.

Away from campus, Sutherlin is one of West Michigan's most recognizable sports broadcasters. He is entering his 29th season with the West Michigan Whitecaps organization as Press Box Manager and Head Official Scorer while continuing a broadcasting career that has spanned thousands of events across collegiate, professional and high school athletics.

His broadcasting resume includes more than 10 college bowl games, NJCAA and NAIA National Championship tournaments, MHSAA state championship events in football, basketball and swimming, College Water Polo Association national tournaments, Michigan High School Robotics state qualifying competitions and countless conference championship events. He has also served as the longtime voice of the Michigan Water Polo Association and has broadcast numerous Aquinas athletic events, including lacrosse and indoor track & field.

Although his career has taken him to some of the biggest stages in collegiate athletics, joining Aquinas felt like coming home. Sutherlin first began working with the Saints as a broadcaster during the mid-1990s under legendary Athletic Director Terry "Coach Bo" Bocian. After retiring from Kentwood Public Schools, the opportunity to join Aquinas full-time arrived at exactly the right time.

"I've always believed athletics is about people and the stories they create together," Sutherlin said. "I've been fortunate to spend my career around incredible coaches, student-athletes and administrators, but Aquinas has always been different. The people, the mission and the sense of family make this a truly special place, and I'm grateful every day to help tell the stories of AQ."

Joey and his wife, Kim, live in Cutlerville with their two dogs (Murphy and Wic). They have been married for nearly 30 years and are proud parents of Whitney, Sammie and Chase, and grandparents to Miles, Jameson and Meadow.

Quick Facts

Position: Assistant Athletic Director / Director of Athletic Communications

Joined Aquinas: January 2025

Education:

  • Grand Rapids Community College – Journalism
  • Central Michigan University – Communications

Previous Experience:

  • West Michigan Whitecaps – Press Box Manager & Head Official Scorer
  • Michigan Sports Radio / Biscuit in the Basket Productions – Play-by-Play Broadcaster
  • Kentwood Public Schools – Aquatics Director & Assistant Athletic Director
  • Grand Rapids Community College – Aquatics Director, Sports Information Director, Assistant Athletic Director & Adjunct Professor
  • TV 9 & 10 News – Morning Show Producer
  • Advance Newspapers – Sports Stringer

Professional Highlights:

  • Nearly 40 years in athletic communications, broadcasting and sports administration
  • Entering 29th season with the West Michigan Whitecaps (Official Scorer, Press Box Manager, and fill in Broadcaster).
  • Broadcast more than 10 college bowl games
  • Covered NJCAA and NAIA National Championship tournaments in baseball, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse
  • Longtime broadcaster for the College Water Polo Association and Michigan Water Polo Association (Owner of the Biscuit in the Basket Network).
  • Broadcast numerous MHSAA Football, Basketball and Swimming State Championship events
  • Seven consecutive years broadcasting the Michigan High School Robotics State Qualifier
  • Known for his social media handle:  Joey's Wacky World of Sports or at Aquinas, Joey's Wacky World of AQ Sports.

Honors & Awards:

  • American Red Cross Distinguished Service Award
  • Michigan Water Polo Association Lifetime Service Award
  • Two-time MWPA West Region Coach of the Year
  • Donald Adamson Award
  • Pacemaker Award
  • Grand Rapids Community College President's Fitness Award

Family: Wife, Kim; children Whitney, Sammie and Chase; grandchildren Miles, Jameson and Meadow.  Two dogs, Murphy and Wic

Hobbies: Spending time with family at the cottage, racquetball, softball, bowling, golf, rafting and cornhole