I met Mike Butler for the first time last year, before the first practice of the spring varsity baseball season. I reported to the gym early to take extra ground balls before our 9 a.m. practice when I noticed Butler, who had arrived an hour before. I asked him why he was there so early.
“I am excited for the season to start, so I decided to come early to see if I could do anything to help prepare for practice,” Butler said.
Instantly I knew Butler had a special characteristic about him: his work ethic. Butler is a sophomore, and manager of the varsity team.
“My biggest challenge in life is overcoming my deafness and my impaired motor skills, but at the end of the day that doesn’t stop me from pursuing my goals,” Butler said.
Butler’s main goal is helping others, no matter what he is doing.
“I work hard everyday at practice to make sure I can prepare the guys for the next game. I want to be able to do anything and everything in order to help them win. I love being a part of the team, even as a manager; it’s a great bond to have,” Butler said.
Butler also participates in football, playing JV and freshmen the past two seasons.
“Football is my favorite sport. What I like about it is the team atmosphere on the field and off. I also enjoy the competitiveness of the game and of course the contact,” Butler said.
Butler’s love for football led him to join the wrestling team last winter, in order to get in better shape for the upcoming football season.
“I didn’t know too much about wrestling going in, but it has taught me many life lessons such as never giving up and striving to reach your goals,” Butler said.
It took Butler nearly a year to win his first wrestling match.
“With wrestling I failed so many times, but I am still standing and in life you have to keep battling. I could have easily given up, but I didn’t. The one goal I have before I leave high school is to lead by example to others,” Butler said.