Derek Sutor

Husband | Father | Son | Brother | Special Education Teacher & Head Baseball Coach at St. Charles East HS⚜️ | 2019 Kane County High School Teacher of the Year

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

The last 24 hours haven’t been easy, but the chapter of the 2026 Fighting Saints is officially done.

Every season, after the last loss of the season, I officially retire the hat from the season.

All the dirt.
All the sweat.
All the work.
All the memories.
They belong to the 2026 Saints. ⚜️

Season 20 in the books. I am proud of what the 2026 Varsity Saints did for this program, especially the Seniors. They started back a year ago, during the summer, setting the tone for the program and not wanting to settle for average results. We formed a Senior Leadership Council where we voiced opinions and set standards and accountability for the season. The standards were player-driven, which, in my opinion, creates a tighter bond within the group. I loved it. We became a better program because of the 2026 Saints.

We built a new foundation in the summer heat.
We worked hard in the weight room.
We formed a Senior Leadership Council that met once a month, did a book study on leadership and set standards and accountability for the program.
We volunteered our time and ran a coat drive.
We went and supported other sports.
We ran a 1-day camp with football.
We went on a Spring Trip to Nashville (I made up for my 2025 trip to Louisville, lol).
We battled the ups and downs of a season and learned to “handle hard better”.
We won 20+ games for the first time in 3 years.
We were in the hunt for a conference title down to the final series of the season.
We had 7 players recognized with All-Conference honors.
We had 11 Academic All-Conference players.
We had a program GPA of 3.23

But most of all … we became family. ⚜️👊

Tomorrow, I’ll break out a hat as we head into summer baseball and turn the page towards the 2027 season.

But the last tip of the 2026 cap goes out to the 2026 Saints, especially the 10 seniors. The goal is to leave a program better than when you entered. And to that, you succeeded, greatly. Thank you for putting your heart and soul into being a Saint. 🫡

One a Saint, always a Saint.

On to the 2027 season … nothing to do but get right back to work. ⚜️💪

#BeTheStandard⚜️⚾️

[Aiden Quidayan @aiden_quidayan]

Here are my end of high school stats from my junior year | 2027 OF
•.362 AVG
•.461 OBP
•34 H
•14 XBH (2 HR)
•33 RBI
•35 R
•15 BB
•11 SB
📞630-258-5444
✉️[email protected]
@CoachSutor @stce_baseball @AHQRecruits @baseballmike37

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

This might one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. As a baseball fan, Harry Mack gets my vote to be in an 8 Mile sequel. ⚾️👊

[Kyle larose @Kylelarose24]

Had a solid start against Neuqua valley.
6 IP 2 H 1 ER 1 BB 8 SO. @AHQRecruits @CoachSutor @LukeWStewart @jake_joyce12

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

Baseball/Softball.

I could watch these kind of highlights all day.

Greatest game on earth.
And you won’t convince me otherwise.

[Kyle larose @Kylelarose24]

End of conference stats from my junior year. .329 AVG .446 OBP 30 hits 15 BB 4 HR 33 runs 28 RBI
Phone [phone]
Email [email protected]
@CoachSutor @LukeWStewart @AHQRecruits @Jordan_Dean1

[Kyle larose @Kylelarose24]

End of conference pitching stats from my junior year.
IP 36.0
ER 11
BB 10
SO 35
ERA 2.139
WHIP 1.250
Phone [phone]
Email [email protected]
@CoachSutor @LukeWStewart @AHQRecruits @jake_joyce12

[Dylan McCabe @DylanMcCabe2027]

Just finished up conference play from my junior year.
•32 GP
•.354 AVG
•.475 OBP
•34 H
•21 RBI
•23 R
•23 BB
•14 SB
📞: 630-453-2319
✉️: [email protected]
@stce_baseball @CoachSutor @Jordan_Dean1 @AHQRecruits @LukeWStewart @FlatgroundBats @BUncommitted @foulkesie20

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

It’s REGIONAL GAMEDAY for @stce_softball! ⚜️

Best of luck to the Lady Saints of the Diamond as they take on Addison Trail today at home! ⚾️👊🥎

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

I’ve had a lot of special moments in education, but this might be the first one that brought me to tears.

Last week, a senior who I’ve had in class for a few years asked me for my favorite quote. So, I wrote it down for her.

“Treat others as you’d want to be treated.”

The golden rule.
Simple.
Real.
100% truth.

Today, she came in on her final day of high school with a typed note thanking me for all I’ve done to help her, help the students in our class and how I’ve inspired her to get into education herself. Her kind words were heartfelt and genuine.

What happened next will be something I will never, ever forget.

She showed me her arm.

She took the quote I wrote down for her and had the exact line, in my handwriting, tattooed on her arm.

You hear the term “speechless” all the time, but this was a moment where I had no words and couldn’t speak.

I just teared up.

To see that someone took my own words and value them so much to have them tattooed on them is something words cannot do justice for.

To all my fellow educators, teaching today is more challenging than it’s ever been. But on the days when you feel exhausted, burned out and are questioning why you do what you do, remember this …

You have more of an impact on students than you realize.

This is a moment I will never, ever forget.

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

Grateful to be honored by @hayden_sujack for Teacher Appreciation yesterday at the @stce_softball game!

You won’t find many as hard-working, driven and talented as this one!

And yes, I bounced in my honorary first pitch. I’ll keep working on my fast-pitch strike. Way too used to overhand. ⚜️👊🥎

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

This kid was MVP in his game night. 3 hits and turned a double play.

The first two hits were righty.
Then he decided to hit lefty and got another hit.
Switch hitter at age 7?

Dad approves. ⚾️👊

[Kyle larose @Kylelarose24]

Second homer of the season @AHQRecruits @CoachSutor

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

It’s Gameday.

The Saints (16-7, 8-4) open up a big 3-game conference series with Lake Park today, with the Varsity & Freshmen Saints on the road, while the JV & Fresh-Soph teams are at home! 4:30pm first pitch across all levels.

Come out and cheer on your Saints!

#BeTheStandard⚜️⚾️

[Gavin Price @gavinprice98]

School ball Hr #1 over the batters eye.
@canes_illinois @CanesBBScouting @Tom10Nelson @ADrago18 @CoachSutor @stce_baseball @ryp_hitting @jonnyc1923 @PB_Uncommitted @uncommittedBBs

[Gavin Fuscone @gavinf55]

Strong outing on the mound—7 innings, no earned runs, 1 walk, just competing and trusting the defense.
Good day at the plate too, 2/2 with 2 walks.
@PrepBaseballIL @PB_Uncommitted @CoachSutor @AnvilAthleticSP @AthletesHQElgin @AHQRecruits @stce_baseball

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

This girl earned her team’s Sportsmanship Chain in her game today! 🥎💪❤️

[Gavin Fuscone @gavinf55]

Home run from today @AHQRecruits @AthletesHQElgin @stce_baseball @PrepBaseballIL @PB_Uncommitted @BUncommitted

[Derek Sutor @CoachSutor]

While Holly had friends over for a belated birthday party, I got to take these little two goobers bowling and for ice cream. Perfect little Saturday night fun!

[Dylan McCabe @DylanMcCabe2027]

Here are some of my hitting stats halfway through my junior year (17 GP):
-.404 AVG
-21 H (14 1B, 7 2B)
-.515 OBP
-16 RBI
-17 R
-12 BB
-10 SB
-5 SO
@stce_baseball @AHQRecruits @CoachSutor @Jordan_Dean1 @LukeWStewart @JKelchNIU @jSabe11 @CoachBales12 @CWoj18 @adamo_stornello