David Sutkay graduated from Sterling High School in 1981. While in high school David excelled in three sports. He earned three varsity awards in football, two in baseball, and four in track and field. He was selected as an NCIC All-Conference football player in 1979 and 1980 and was selected as the MVP in 1980. David was also Honorable Mention on the All-State football team. He played in the annual IHSA Shriners' game. He qualified for state three times in the discus. He played two years of varsity baseball, playing right field and was one of the team's pitchers. His Sterling High School athletic career was capped by his winning the Roscoe Eades Award in 1981. After high school, David attended Northern Illinois University and graduated in 1986 with his degree in numerical control technology. He continued playing football at NIU and received his Master's degree in industrial management in 1990. He was inducted into the Northern Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 as part of the 1983 California Bowl championship team. He was married to Alice Moore '78 in 1984. They have four children: Robbie, Paul, Erin, and Katie.