IBCA E-Newsletter

Mildred Ball Award

Gene Butts

Gene is a graduate of Beaver Dam High School ( Tippecanoe Valley), Manchester College and Indiana University. While spending 37 years in the Warsaw School Corporation as an elementary teacher/coach and high school athletic director, he often stated that he was a professional sports official and taught school as a sideline.

Gene became the first Indiana high School basketball official to be selected to officiate both the boys' and girls' state finals during the same year. During his officiating career he officiated two boys state finals and three girls state finals.

During a 55 year baseball umpiring career, Gene called 35 sectionals, 8 state finals, the 1987 Pan Am games and currently works the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers Spring training games.

Gene served as President of the Basketball Officials Association for five years and was permanent secretary for 20 years. He and his wife of 56 years, Carole, split their residency between Warsaw and Sebring Florida.

Congratulation, Gene on a great career.