Marty Sutherland
There are few roles more important than that of coach. Part mentor, part cheerleader, part teacher part disciplinarian, and sometimes even part father or mother figure. This week’s Moonlighter fits those descriptors to a T. Marty Sutherland has spent most of his life in sports and played a prominent role in the lives of countless young men.
Marty Sutherland checks all of the boxes of a prototypical Moonlighter. He is from small-town Iowa, he played juco baseball, and he even sold insurance for a little bit. He is now the associate head coach of the University of Iowa baseball team. The first time Tim and Marty met was in a small-town baseball tournament when Sutherland ripped a double off of the Moonlight Ace.
They crossed paths again a few months later when the Cascade native was one of Tim’s coaches at the University of Northern Iowa under Rick Heller. Since their days in purple and gold, Sutherland has stuck with Heller and is now at the University of Iowa. Marty Sutherland is one of the smartest baseball guys around. It is incredible to see the success of the Iowa baseball program since the arrival of Heller, Sutherland, and the rest of the staff.
As a coach, Marty Sutherland’s fingerprints are all over that dugout. Few are able to help influence and develop young players the way that Sutherland has been able to. Even just watching the Hawkeyes play, a sharp eye can identify the impact that he has had.
Many of us former athletes can think back to a coach who played a key role in our sports life. It might be because of how they built us up when we were down, changed our approach, or how they got after us when we needed it most. Marty Sutherland has been that influence on hundreds of young men and has played a vital role in the turnaround of the most prominent college program in Iowa.
Are you a proud supporter of the Moonlight Graham Show? Buy the "Moonlighter Tee"
https://www.moonlightgrahamshow.com/buy-swag/moonlighter-tee-1
We would love to meet you on social media. Give us a follow!
Every Iowa sports fan knows the reputation of Harlan Community High School. The Harlan Cyclones are known far and wide for their success in every sport. Coach Bladt and the football program built a foundation of success that the entire community rests on. There is a lot of pride in the school colors and full bleachers whenever they take the field or court. Mitch Osborn has helped to continue that success in his roles as AD and head basketball coach. This week we sit down with Coach Osborn to learn about his career and what makes Harlan so darn special.