The Butler Bulldogs basketball program is unique. Securing eight
bids to the NCAA post-season tournament in the past thirteen
seasons and posting an impressive 134-59 record the past eight
seasons as a mid-major are byproducts of something much greater
than the performances of past and present Bulldog players:
“The Butler Way.” The “system” was first
employed a little over a decade ago and has developed into a highly
respectable culture within the landscape of college basketball.
The culture of Butler hoops, as a result of “The
Way,” is one that demands commitment, denies selfishness and
seeks constant improvement while promoting the team above oneself.
Although the philosophy is relatively straightforward, it has
proven extremely effective. The core of the philosophy stresses
five essential principles: 1) Humility 2) Passion 3) Unity 4)
Servanthood and 5) Thankfulness. Team philosophies, motto’s
and statements of principles are nothing new to college athletics,
but the degree of effectiveness and execution reflected at Butler
are certainly rare.
“The Butler Way” is certainly unique to the
Butler Bulldogs and has grown to be highly-regarded and respected
by fellow Horizon League players and coaches. One head coach of a
league opponent expressed his admiration for the operations of
Butler hoops as he stated: “They (the players) believe in the
system, in the coaching and the tradition, which is, bar none, the
best in our league.”.
The system has evolved into more than stated principles or
team goals. It has become a tradition of excellence and
respectability to be exercised by the young men on the floor and
the elder coaches at the helm. Butler basketball is considered
unique for the extent of commitment and dedication of the athletes
to “The Way,” and such devotion has been continuously
exemplified over the past decade of dominance at the mid-major and
major level.
So who are we to thank for the fruits of success Butler has
enjoyed this decade? Aside from the players, the Butler coaching
staff certainly deserves a little recognition. Under the guidance
of Todd Lickliter the program rose to national prominence after
establishing themselves as a consistent contender in the NCAA
tournament. Since Lickliter left for the head coaching job at Iowa,
there has been no drop off with young coach Brad Stevens. In his
first two seasons at Butler, Stevens finished with a remarkable 56
wins to 10 losses and two NCAA tournament berths. Not too shabby
for a 33 year old who began his professional coaching career less
than a decade ago.
Stevens by no means is a new face on the butler campus.
Despite being in only his 3rd season as head coach, he has been
with the program since 2001. The continuity established by his
internal hiring no doubt has largely contributed to the
program’s recent success. Most importantly, it has allowed
the continuation of the philosophy that has not only allowed the
Butler players to achieve success on the court, but also grow as
men off the court.
The continuity Butler has been able to achieve since
Lickliter’s successful regime extends beyond Coach Stevens.
Another common factor throughout the past eight successful seasons
is former Bulldog standout and current assistant coach Matthew
Graves. “The Butler Way” has been a vehicle for the
success of Butler basketball and all of the players who have bought
in to the ideals. Coach Graves can attest to this. As a senior,
Graves led the Bulldogs’ run to a conference title and second
consecutive NCAA Tournament berth while being named the
team’s Most Valuable Player. More recently, he was honored by
FoxSports.com in 2008 as a “Top-Ten” mid-major
assistant, along with being named #2 in CollegeInsider.com’s
list of “Top 25” mid-major assistants. Needless to say,
Graves has experienced the power of the system from both
angles—on the court as a player and from the bench as an
assistant coach.
For Stevens, Graves and the Bulldogs, this season proves to
be no exception. Currently the team is 23-4 with a perfect 16-0
record in conference play. Their most recent victory was a 70-59
victory over Cleveland State, a team college hoops fans might
remember making a splash in the NCAA tournament last year. Superior
scoring efforts by Gordon Hayward and Mack Shelvin have largely
contributed to the success of the Bulldogs this season. Hayward has
been a dual threat averaging an impressive 16.0 points per game
along with a team leading 8.3 rebounds per contest. Offensively,
Mack Shelvin is not far behind averaging a respectable 13.7 points
per game.
Despite mention of these strong individual efforts, it is
imperative to note the Bulldog’s winning formula has relied
largely upon team play. Evidence is revealed by four players
averaging at least 10 points per contest this season. Considering
the Bulldog’s philosophy stresses such virtues as humility,
servanthood, and unity, it is no surprise that their success has
been a product of unselfish team play. Ultimately, the
players’ ability to manifest “The Butler Way”
through their efforts on the court has resulted in an impressive
season up to this point.
The system may be an internal culture at Butler, however with
the efforts and triumphs of players and coaches like Brad Stevens
and Matthew Graves, the results and powers have been put on display
throughout all levels of college basketball. Butler’s
“secret weapon” of a system is no secret at all. It is
a culture and a lifestyle exercised with precision and commitment
for the interest of the team.
The spread of similar systems and principles, with matched
passion and commitment, could drastically change the levels of
teamwork and competition in college athletics. Yet as great as it
would be, with the individual emphasis and potential riches of the
NBA and professional prospects knocking at the door, it is likely
nowhere in the near future of college hoops. In the meantime, the
Butler culture will remain its own and continue its reign atop the
mid-major’s.
As the Bulldogs finish out their regular season schedule and
prepare for tournament play, they will rely on what has allowed
them to achieve success up to this point for the remainder of the
season: “The Butler Way.”
