Kristian Ferrell
The Butler Bulldogs are the athletic teams that represent Butler University, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with a dedicated fan base and a strong record of accomplishments. The team has appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments and has risen to national prominence, with a Butler Way philosophy that emphasises commitment and teamwork. With a notable list of alumni who have gone on to play in the NBA, the Bulldogs have earned a reputation as a formidable Division I basketball program.
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What You'll Learn
The Butler Way philosophy
The Butler Way is a philosophy that has been used since the 2006-2007 men's NCAA college basketball season to describe the governing philosophy of the Butler Bulldogs, a highly successful basketball programme. The philosophy is centred around five principles:
- Humility: Knowing one's strengths and weaknesses.
- Passion: Not being lukewarm, but committing to excellence.
- Commitment: Committing to the team and its success.
- Selflessness: Denying selfishness and promoting the good of the team above oneself.
- Reality: Accepting reality while seeking constant improvement.
The Butler Way was originally forged by legendary coach and administrator Tony Hinkle, who passed down his teachings to his coaching protégés and players. The philosophy is not just about principles, but about the players themselves, who help perpetuate the positive values that the Butler name stands for. The programme's culture is propagated into all aspects of the Butler community, with coaches and players living and breathing these values.
The Butler Way is not just limited to the basketball court, but is also a motto that Butler students live by. When reviewing applications for admission, the university looks for examples of how students embody this motto before they even arrive on campus. This includes looking at a student's involvement in clubs, organisations, athletics, volunteer work, and other extracurricular activities, as well as their academic performance and commitment to their education.
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The Bulldogs' rise to national prominence
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Bulldogs have enjoyed a rich history of basketball success, with a strong fan base and a tradition of excellence that has brought national recognition to the university.
The Bulldogs first rose to national prominence in the late 1990s, ranking in most media polls and consistently competing in the postseason. From the 2006-07 season to the 2011-12 season, they maintained a strong presence in the rankings, missing out on the postseason only three times during this period.
The Bulldogs have appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 24-16. They reached the Sweet Sixteen three times and finished as National Runners-Up twice. In 2010, they advanced to the National Championship Game, falling to Duke. This run of success continued into the following season, with back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2010 and 2011, further cementing their status as a prominent basketball program.
The Bulldogs' success has been attributed to their unique philosophy, known as "The Butler Way," which emphasises complete commitment and teamwork. This approach has garnered national attention, with Butler being recognised as one of the top colleges utilising social media to promote its athletics programs. The team's success has also translated into individual honours, with players like Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack, and Sean McDermott going on to play in the NBA.
In addition to their on-court achievements, the Bulldogs also benefit from a historic home venue. The Butler Fieldhouse, renamed the Hinkle Fieldhouse in 1966, is a legendary basketball arena. It was the largest of its kind when it was completed in 1928 and served as the combined home of Butler basketball and the final rounds of the Indiana High School Athletic Association's basketball tournament for many years. The Fieldhouse has hosted some of Indiana basketball's greatest legends and inspired the movie "Hoosiers," further contributing to the Bulldogs' national prominence.
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Notable alumni in the NBA
Butler University's basketball team, the Butler Bulldogs, has had several notable alumni go on to play in the NBA. The Bulldogs have competed in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and are currently part of the Big East Conference.
One of the most notable Butler alumni in the NBA is Gordon Hayward, who was drafted 9th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA draft. Hayward was the first Butler player to play in the NBA since Ralph O'Brien in the 1950s. Shelvin Mack, another Butler alumnus, played eight seasons in the NBA for seven different teams, including the Washington Wizards, who drafted him in the 2nd round in 2011. Sean McDermott signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020, and Kelan Martin played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2019-2020 season before signing with the Indiana Pacers for the 2020-2021 season.
Other Butler alumni who have played in the NBA include Ralph O'Brien, drafted in 1950, Billy Shepherd, drafted in 1972, and Jerry Steiner, who played for the Indianapolis Kautskys in 1940-41 and the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in 1946-47. While no Butler players are currently in the NBA, the university has a strong basketball history and has produced several successful professional players.
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Home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team, representing Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, plays home games at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse, named after Butler's longtime coach and athletic director, Paul D. "Tony" Hinkle, has been the team's home court since 1928, except from 1943 to 1945 when it was used as a military barracks during World War II.
Hinkle Fieldhouse, originally called Butler Fieldhouse until 1966, is a historic basketball arena on the campus of Butler University. It was the largest basketball arena in the United States until 1950, with an initial seating capacity of 15,000. The innovative design included a steel truss system, providing unobstructed views of the court and a fireproof brick and stone exterior. It is now the sixth-oldest college basketball arena still in use and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
The Fieldhouse has played a significant role in Indiana's basketball history, hosting notable games such as the "Milan Miracle" in 1954 and the historic final depicted in the movie "Hoosiers." It was also the site of the first televised broadcast of a state championship game in 1950 and has served as the home court for other notable teams, including the NBA's Indianapolis Olympians and the WNBA's Indiana Fever for several seasons.
Today, the Butler Bulldogs men's and women's basketball teams continue to play their home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse as part of the Big East Conference. The Fieldhouse remains a beloved venue, known as "Indiana's Basketball Cathedral," and has undergone renovations to enhance the experience for players and fans.
In addition to basketball, Hinkle Fieldhouse has hosted other sporting events, such as volleyball during the 1987 Pan American Games, and community events, solidifying its place as a significant venue in Indiana's athletic landscape.
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The university's athletic history
Athletics has played a major role in shaping Butler University since its earliest days. The university's athletic teams, the Butler Bulldogs, participate in 20 NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports, with over 500 student-athletes across the teams. The Bulldogs have a rich history of success in basketball, with a strong fan base and a national following. The team has appeared in 16 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 24-16. They have also appeared in ten National Invitation Tournaments and one College Basketball Invitational.
The Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament for the first time in 1962, and have since qualified or been selected for the tournament twelve times, with a record of 19-12. The team rose to national prominence in the late 1990s, ranking in most media polls and consistently competing in the postseason. In 2010, the Bulldogs made it to the National Championship game for the first time, losing to Duke. They also reached the Championship game in 2011, making back-to-back appearances.
The Butler Way is a philosophy embraced by the basketball program, emphasising complete commitment and teamwork. This philosophy has brought national attention to the university, along with the success of the team. The Bulldogs' home games are played at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, which was the largest of its kind when it was completed in 1928 and remains a landmark. The fieldhouse has come to symbolise not only Butler athletics but also Indiana's passion for basketball, known as "Hoosier Hysteria".
In addition to basketball, Butler University has notable accomplishments in other sports, including softball, cross-country, and track and field. The university's football team competes in the Pioneer League, and the Bulldogs have had success in the BP Top of the World Classic and the NIT Season Tip-Off, among other tournaments. The university's athletic facilities include the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl, a 20,000-seat stadium that hosts football and soccer games, and the Davey Track & Field, used by the track and field teams and the football team for practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Butler University's basketball team has a history of success. The team has competed in the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament 16 times, qualifying or being selected for the tournament 12 times, with a record of 19-12. They have also appeared in 10 National Invitation Tournaments and one College Basketball Invitational.
The Butler Way is the name of the Butler basketball programme's philosophy, which calls for complete commitment and prioritises teamwork above self.
The Butler Bulldogs play their home games at the Hinkle Fieldhouse, which was the largest of its kind when it was completed in 1928 and remained the largest in the US for several decades.
The Butler Bulldogs currently compete in the Big East Conference. They previously played in the Horizon League, the Atlantic 10 Conference, and the Missouri Valley Conference.
