July 7, 2008

RICHARDSON, Texas - Former West Texas A&M Volleyball standout Sarah Butler Carthel has been selected as a 2008 inductee into the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor, league officials announced on Monday.

She is joined by Arthur James of East Texas State (now Texas A&M-Commerce) and John Randle of Texas A&M-Kingsville to compose the 2008 class of inductees for the LSC Hall of Honor, which recognizes outstanding individuals who have brought pride and honor to the conference through their contributions as an athlete or who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the betterment of the conference as a coach or administrator.

The inductees were chosen by a panel of athletic administrators throughout the league.

"This is the twelfth class to be inducted into the LSC Hall of Honor, and for it to include three great athletes like this speaks volumes about the tradition in this conference and the quality of student-athletes that have competed in the Lone Star Conference over the years," said Stan Wagnon, LSC commissioner. "I remember watching Sarah play volleyball at WTAMU. Her ability and intensity was unmatched, and obviously she earned her place in history by leading the Lady Buffs to a national championship. And I never grow weary of hearing stories about the football legends that have played in this conference. Certainly King Arthur James and John Randle are among the greatest, and they're both very deserving of this distinction."

Each of the inductees will receive the LSC's signature Hall of Honor award, a 15-inch custom-sculpted eagle figurine mounted on a cherrywood base. The awards for Butler Carthel, James and Randle are to be presented this fall with ceremonies at each recipient's institution.

Butler, a member of the 1994 Class 5A state championship Amarillo High School volleyball team, transferred to WTAMU in 1997 after an outstanding freshman season at the University of Texas. Her impact was immediate as she helped lead the Lady Buffs to a 37-3 record and the 1997 Division II National Championship.

In 1997, WTAMU won their last 18 matches, including the Lone Star Conference and the NCAA South Central Regional tournament titles. At the NCAA Elite Eight, held in Bakersfield, Calif., the Lady Buffs swept New Haven in three games, then defeated host Cal-State Bakersfield in four games. In the national championship match against Barry, the Lady Buffs claimed the school's third national title, winning in five games (4-15, 15-13, 21-19, 7-15, and 18-16 in rally scoring). Barry led 16-15 for match point before Butler tallied her 26th kill to tie the score and give the Lady Buffs an opportunity to secure the championship. En route, Butler set an NCAA tournament record with 40 digs in the match.

In 1998, Butler led the Lady Buffs to the regional tournament and in 1999 lead WTAMU to a 36-2 record and an appearance in the national semifinals. Butler's team record over that three-year span was an incredible 98-12.

She was selected first-team AVCA All-America from 1997-1999 and was a two-time NCAA Division II National Player of the Year selection, earning the honor in both 1997 and 1999.

Butler finished her career with 2,000 career kills and holds the top three marks for match kills in WT history with 41, 40, and 39. She also holds the top two marks for kill attempts in a match with 92 and 86. The 41 kills in 92 attempts were set in her final match on December 4, 1999, at Battle Creek, Mich., against Tampa in the national semifinals.

Currently, Butler is an assistant volleyball coach at WTAMU and is married to WTAMU football defensive coordinator, Colby Carthel.