Gannnon Cornley
Reporting 1 Student
Butler Community College is not easily recognized on a map, yet Butler is able to bring members back to the tradition.
A full-time spot on the Athletic Training staff became available over the summer, and it did not take long for it to be filled. Former Butler student athletic trainer Jared Brown heard about the vacant position on the training staff and immediately applied for the job. Brown had been waiting for such an opportunity for a while. There was a chance to come back to a place he knew and loved, and he had the opportunity to become the assistant head athletic trainer. Butler also offered a sport that Brown is passionate about: football.
Brown’s passion and love for football has brought him back to Butler.
After Brown left as a student, he always had his eyes on a possible return.
“When I left here as a student nine years ago… I wanted to come back here,” Brown said.
“I love football. I played football, wrestled and did track (in high school). I love athletics.”
Brown spoke about the 2007 national championship team in football when he was here as a student. He enjoyed being part of the team and that is what inspired him to continue on in this business.
Growing up as an athlete himself, Brown has always been close to sports and would like to stay as close as he can. After leaving Butler, Brown received his athletic training degree from Sterling College, then he continued his athletic training at places such as William Jewell College and worked at a physical therapy clinic in Andover. Brown did all of this while completing his master’s at Emporia State. For a short tenure, Brown was also on the training staff with the Harlem Globetrotters, traveling with the team on certain occasions, and he was even able to travel with the team on a trip to China. Brown was eventually hired as the head athletic trainer at Pratt Community College for two years before he made his way back to El Dorado.
Family and tradition might play the biggest roles in bringing back such a proud alumnus.
“Jared has been awesome,” sophomore Andrea Galindo said. “He has taught and shown me many things. He really loves football and is very passionate about his job.”
Brown commented on how close his family was to Butler and how his wife’s family also feels that way.
“I would almost say it’s a dream job a little bit,” Brown said. “I’ve been wanting this, so I waited for it…. There’s something about… and you’ll hear it, the Grizzly family…I feel right at home.”
He talked about the only differences being the time periods and how things have adjusted with time. Brown did point out how the football coaching staff has not changed much since he was first there. There is a lot of tradition here and he loves being a part of it.
Butler may not be a remarkably noticeable place in this country, but Butler is able to make dreams come true. The culture and the family feel of Butler have brought several people back to the community. Brown is living his dream as the assistant head athletic trainer.
