Today at the age of 77 Tom Butters passed away. I had the privilege of meeting him during my time as an employee in college at Treyburn CC where he was a member. There were many times it was just he and i in a room together and he would tell me many stories of the past. Great story teller but an even better man. RIP Tom Butters.
Tom Butters passed away
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So sorry to hear of this. RIP Mr. Butters. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
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RIP not too many people would have recognized what he had in K.He extended him when the entire world was calling for him to be fired
RIP, what an amazing job at Duke he did with fund raising and transforming the athletic department. He is the man responsible for the Steve Spurrier and Mike Krzyzewski coaching hires.
In 1984 when K's first NCAA Tourney team struggled mid-season and the wolves were at his door, Butters called him in and told him "my problem right now is that I have a Coach who doesn't even know how good he is." And then he reached into his desk and pulled out a new five year contract. An emotional Krzyzewski was blown away at that moment. The rest is history..
In 1984 when K's first NCAA Tourney team struggled mid-season and the wolves were at his door, Butters called him in and told him "my problem right now is that I have a Coach who doesn't even know how good he is." And then he reached into his desk and pulled out a new five year contract. An emotional Krzyzewski was blown away at that moment. The rest is history..
^ Yes, read Al Featherston's article (Duke Basketball Report). Very good. Just goes to show-again, the amazing value of good leadership. What a job he did while being a loyal, stand up guy.
I think I remember reading somewhere that after the interview Coach K left, Tom had his assistant rush to the airport to make sure K didn't get on the plane until he took the job. Could you imagine now a days a big time program hiring a coach after one year of collegiate experience and going 9-17 In that year? That program would be chastized!
Rest in peace Mr. Butters! You planted the seeds of a great legacy, and made sure that it grew and flourished.
RIP, can't even imagine where our program would be if Butters had never been in the picture.