Basketball, Class of 2005
In his only year at Santa Ana College, 1958-59, Ray Butler helped the Dons post a 26-7 overall record and advance to the California Community College men's basketball state championship game for the first time in school history under secondyear head coach Bob Boyd.
Butler, who averaged 19.6 points per game and scored 33 points in a game twice, was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Year after the Dons won their first conference title with a 12-2 mark. He was also recognized by his teammates as the team's most valuable player and earned all-tournament honors several times.
His name can still be found among the single-season offensive leaders at Santa Ana College. At the time, Butler scored a singleseason best 648 points which now ranks 14th in school history and his 19.6 points per game currently places him 18th on the college's all-time list.
Following his only season, Butler married Nancy Stebbins, a Santa Ana College cheerleader, and transferred to Seattle University where he led the Redhawks to a pair of NCAA men's basketball tournament appearances.
Butler, who earned both his bachelor's degree in education and teaching credentials from Seattle University; taught and coached basketball at Linden High School in Linden, California, before moving on to other ventures including owning a poultry business and a small restaurant while maintaining a small cattle ranch.
Both he and his wife, Nancy, who taught at Linden Elementary School for 38 years, are retired and live in Linden, California, near their twin daughters, Judie and Julie, and their five grandchildren, Michael, Cassie, Kaylyn, Shelby and Madison.
He currently spends his time attending his grandchildren's baseball, softball and gymnastics contests; playing golf and traveling.