Butler, Mark

He lettered three years in baseball and basketball – two at Lexington and one at Lauderdale County. Was a member of the 1972 Lexington baseball team that advanced to the state tournament, starting as a pitcher and first baseman. Batted .465 as a senior at LCHS and led team in RBIs. Played in the East-West All-Star game. Averaged 12 points per game as a senior at LCHS. Signed with Northwest-Shoals where he averaged 18 points a game as a sophomore. Played one season at Athens College before beginning coaching career. He coached basketball for 16 years (10 years at Wilson and six at Central), with a 276-182 overall record. His teams won six area championships, two county championships, two region championships, and made two state tournament appearances. One team advanced to the Final Four. He was the TimesDaily Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1990, and Lauderdale County Coach of the Year four times. He is one of two coaches to coach both girls and boys teams to county championships. His Wilson girls’ teams had winning records in all but three seasons after never having a winning year before he became head coach. He coached all girls’ sports at Wilson. His six Central boys’ teams all produced winning records. Made two state appearances while at Central.