Sebastian Friar is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Christian Preparatory School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX– Coach Terry Sutter is a man of many missions. Whether it is being a role model, father, husband or coach, many people have been impacted by his tremendous character. 

Sutter has led the Phoenix Christian Cougars girls volleyball program since 2016

Sutter never planned on coaching high school volleyball, stating he turned down various opportunities before taking the Cougars job.     

“From day one, I fell in love with this amazing school and these amazing families,” Sutter said. 

The veteran coach's love for his profession started when he was helping his daughter who was 10 at the time, learn skills. That turned into being her coach and led to becoming an owner of a club volleyball team. 

Since then, it has been great results for Sutter who continues to build bonds with every player he has encountered in his coaching career. 

“I still have a relationship in some way with nearly every single player that I have ever coached in club or in school,” Sutter said. “I cherish these relationships tremendously and always will.”

Sutter has been a guide to his players, especially this year when the team bond of Phoenix Christian has been superb. 

The leadership of Sutter was tested entering the season after four would-be starters left the school on top of losing his entire coaching staff due to various reasons by each coach. 

“It was not something I had ever experienced,” Sutter said. “That forced us to start very late in our season preparations.” 

That didn’t make the Cougars leader quit, Sutter worked with the remaining group of girls and a lot of new ones as well to rebuild the culture of the program. 

Players can be the testament to the work coach Sutter did to impose this loving new environment for the team. Junior Leah Walker, who played all year with the Cougars was always very positive about the team's culture. 

“When we start games we always want to have a mindset of incorporating everyone,” Walker said. “One of our main things is family and unity, our two main goals of the season.” 

On senior night, Phoenix Christian said goodbye to four players which is always an emotional time. Sutter made sure his team showed their love for the seniors on their special night. Charissa Brown was one of those departing players.

“The love we share for each other and everything we went through it’s just very encouraging,” Brown said. 

The efforts of turning around the culture for Sutter were successful and that’s the kind of impact he wants to leave as a coach. 

“I want them to look back fondly on the game and their teammates,” Sutter said. “I want them to miss the competition and the relationships built while competing.”

After 20 years in coaching, Sutter had the chance to impact the lives of young athletes, which he is forever thankful for. 

“God led me here and I can not easily communicate how special and important this school and these athletes are to me,” Sutter said.