BY: COLIN LIKAS AND MATTHEW VANTRYON | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Former Butler University women’s basketball players and coaches continue to speak out about the program’s 12-year coach Beth Couture. Couture again declined to comment this week. The Butler Collegian ran a front-page story titled “Former players allege verbal abuse, mistreatment” last week. Since…
Former players allege verbal abuse, mistreatment
BY MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor Previous Butler athletes speak out against coach as four women transfer Nine student-athletes have transferred from Butler University’s women’s basketball program over the past four academic years. Additionally, four coaches have left the program and five players have chosen not to return over the last five seasons. Four…
Fox Sports 1 TV deal a boon for Butler
Fans will be able to see more of the Butler Bulldogs—for more than men’s basketball—on their television screens this season. Butler’s jump to the Big East Conference this year includes a new television partner, Fox Sports 1, for men’s basketball and other sports. The new cable network premiered in August and is available to approximately…
Hinkle facelift underway
Hinkle Fieldhouse is in the midst of receiving another major facelift that will modernize and help preserve the landmark venue, according to athletics department administrators. Butler President James Danko announced in May the university’s Board of Trustees approved the $34-million renovation for the fieldhouse. Funding for the project comes from the Campaign for Hinkle Fieldhouse.…
Bulldogs begin Big East era
BY BEN SIECK | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Despite a tumultuous offseason for men’s basketball, Butler officials remain optimistic about the school’s move to the Big East this season. Associate athletic director Mike Freeman said he believes that sooner was better for a conference change already in the works. “What we’ve learned in our recent history with…
$14,738,745 and no one’s talking about where it’s going
Butler University’s athletics department is on “an island of its own.” The budget is a mystery to the public. No one from the athletics department will discuss information about this year’s budget, and officials in other departments say they don’t know much either. Butler athletics has the right to keep budget information private since the…
Television deal made move worthwhile
The offer of conference membership from Big East officials to Butler University was no surprise to Butler officials. In his first interview with The Collegian since the conference switch, President Jim Danko said university officials assessed a second possible move when deciding to move to the Atlantic 10 Conference. The move to the A-10 did…
Athletics department looks for qualifications, not connections
Butler University’s athletics department may employ numerous Butler alumni, but a prior relationship with Butler is far from a job requirement. Athletics Director Barry Collier said he looks for five things above all else when evaluating a prospective department employee. “(I look for) somebody that has high integrity, has a high level of intelligence, is…
Athletics Department: LaRose back to beginnings
Ken LaRose has worn multiple hats at Butler. Now, the university welcomes him back as an associate athletic director. Ken LaRose is replacing Bill Lynch as the associate athletic director of development. “I absolutely love it here,” LaRose said. “It is an unbelievable opportunity for me.” LaRose was a student-athlete for the Bulldogs, competing on…
Danko, Big East officials positive about Butler’s move
In March 2012, the Butler community was wondering if the school would move to the Atlantic 10 Conference and, if so, when it would occur. Butler officials did not keep students, faculty, staff and other supporters waiting long when another opportunity to change athletic conferences came about this year. Butler President James Danko announced Butler’s…