"It's always a great joy to welcome back a former athlete who wants to continue to serve our community as an Assistant Coach, particularly when that athlete meant as much to their program as Russell Butts meant to our Men's Volleyball team during the last four years," Ingram said. "Russell was not only one of our stronger volleyball players here at the Mount, but he was the consummate student-athlete who excelled in the classroom and served our community in a variety of roles as well. Russell exemplified the qualities I hope all of our student-athletes strive to achieve and I am thrilled to have him on staff where he can mentor the next great group of volleyball players this program is bound to produce. I believe that Russell will be a major asset to Tom Callahan's efforts to compete as one of the finest programs in the nation."
Butts was a force in the middle for the Mount from the first days he set foot on campus as he earned the NECVA Metro Division and National Rookie of the Year award in 2003. A starter during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Butts was consistently among the Conference leaders in blocks, and during the 2006 season he blossomed as the team's lone senior. During the campaign in which he earned Team MVP honors, Butts finished second on the team with 218 kills and 26 aces, and led the Mount with 146 total blocks.
Butts also earned acclaim during his time at the Mount for his contribution to the campus community as a whole, serving as a Senator for the sophomore and junior class, and serving as Vice President of his senior class. He also worked on numerous community service projects and was involved in several other clubs as well. Butts earned a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education, and was a four-time Dean's List selection.
Mount Saint Vincent opens the 2007 season when they travel to Polytechnic University on Monday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m.
