Set to begin his 42nd season on the sidelines, Dr. Ron Butcher has established himself as an institution as the head men’s soccer coach at Keene State College for his success and longevity

Entering the 2012 season fifth on the list for all-time for most victories (578) by a men's college soccer coach and third among active coaches in Division III, Dr. Ron Butcher is the dean of men's soccer coaches in New England.  Butcher has had success at all levels of competition, leading the Owls to 31 postseason tournament appearances, including NCAA Division III berths 10 out of the past 15 years.

A master motivator and strategist, Butcher will be tested again this season as his Owls set about the task of regaining the Little East Conference tournament title and  making a return trip to the NCAA championship. During his tenure, KSC has claimed six LEC crowns (1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010- three shared), reached the finals nine times, posting a conference-best record of 79-18-8 and a tournament mark of 15-6-2.  

Butcher, the LEC's coach of the year, demonstrated his soccer sorcery last season, helping the Owls recover from a slow start  to reach the LEC finals and come within one penalty kick of the championship.

Butcher’s ability to get the most out of his teams has been prevalent throughout his coaching career.  Under his guidance, KSC bounced back from a slow start to earn a NCAA berth in 2007. The Owls posted wins over perennial powers Williams College and eventual NCAA champs Middlebury College.  His 2005 team upset Wheaton College (4-1) and advanced to the NCAA regional finals.  In 2004, KSC posted regular season wins over Williams, Wheaton and Middlebury on the way to capturing the LEC title and a hosting the regional NCAA tournament. Butcher was named the New England Region Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2002 after he led third-seeded KSC to upset wins over Wheaton College and Williams College and a third Little East tournament championship. His 2003 squad reached the ECAC Tournament finals.
           

Since arriving at Keene State in 1970, Coach Butcher has been the chief architect in building an Owl soccer program that has amassed an impressive 569-229-70 mark during his 41-year tenure. Consider also the large number of All-America, All-New England, and All-Conference players who have worn a KSC uniform over the years, and it's easy to see why Keene State has one of the elite soccer programs in the region.  KSC has produced 69 All-LEC players since 1997.          

Owner of an overall 578-243-71 (.688 pct.) career mark over 43 years, Butcher celebrated his milestone 500th win with a 2-0 victory over Western Conn. on Sept. 17, 2005.  Inducted into the KSC Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005, the Owls' longtime soccer guru has been recognized often for his coaching accomplishments. He was awarded NAIA Coach of the Year honors in 1974 and 1981, was named the NEISL Division II New England Coach of the Year in 1991, and received LEC coaching honors in 1999, 2002, and 2010.           

Originally from Weston, Mass., Butcher attended Plymouth State College, where he spent four years tending goal for the Panthers. He coached two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville before coming to Keene State. During his coaching career, which includes almost 850 contests, Butcher has maintained his enthusiasm for the game. 

  All-Time Career Wins 

608      Jay Martin*, Ohio Wesleyan

607      Joe Bean, Wheaton, Bridgeport, Quinnipiac

600     Tony Tocco*, Rockhurst

597      Cliff McGrath, Seattle Pacific, Spring Arbor, Gordon, Wheaton

578      Ron Butcher*, UW-Platteville, Keene State

544      Jerry Yeagley, Indiana

540      Steve Negoesco, San Francisco

*active                     

 Active Career Wins - Division III

608      Jay Martin, Ohio Wesleyan

600      Tony Tocco, Rockhurst

578      Ron Butcher, UW-Platteville, Keene State