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Jordan Butler

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

Growing up in the North End of Hartford just off Albany Ave. can create tough times for a young person.  The everyday situations and temptations that growing up in that area present often lead individuals down the wrong path in life.

This is the story of a 19-year-old young man, who avoided the pitfalls that frequently lead to crime and its ramifications.  Thanks to influences that started at a young age and fortunately followed Jordan Butler in life to the good place he enjoys today, he is on the brink of a college education and a possible career in basketball.

Jordan Butler is a 6-foot, 6-inch, 235-pound young man who was positively influenced in life by a caring loving family and an appreciation for education.  He’s the third of four sons of Daisy and Carleton Butler.  His mother works in the helping services assisting people to find work and his dad is a construction worker. 

Daisy Butler is a deeply religious woman with strong values who appreciates education.  Thanks to her guidance, Jordan had an opportunity to step out of the Albany Ave. area and attend Glastonbury High School where he starred as a football and basketball player and met a very good friend.

“My mother always stressed the value of a good education.  She worked hard for us because she wanted us to have the opportunity for a good education.  That’s the primary reason I went to Glastonbury High School.  My mother was a big influence in my life,” said Butler.

Butler also attended Smith Middle School, where as a member of the basketball team he formed a friendship with a fellow student named Jalen Ollie.  Also while in middle school as a member of the basketball team he enjoyed the luxury of acquiring some hoop knowledge from Kevin Ollie, the current head basketball coach of the National Champion UConn.  At the time Ollie was a player in the NBA and when he’d come home he would help coach the middle school team.

“Jalen Ollie is my best friend.  As kids we would work out at school with his dad.  I learned so much from him as a kid,” said a humble Butler.

In high School Butler enjoyed success as an athlete, averaging 17 points per game for coach Jim Vaughn and playing in the State Tournament Final Four.  But traveling back to Hartford’s North End every evening Butler needed to find a diversion for his spare time.  A diversion that would help him as a person and assure that he’d remain out of the clutches of trouble.

“My home was very close to the Wilson-Gray YMCA on Albany Ave.  After finishing my studies I’d go to the Wilson-Gray gym and shoot around and work out.  My older brothers Jemal and Aaron always stressed the need to stay physically fit if I wanted to succeed,” said Butler.

At the YMCA Butler met a man named Dean Jones, who would also have a positive influence on his life.  As a Y coach, Dean always selected Jordan to be on his basketball team.  There were times when Dean even went so far as to purchase basketball shoes for young Butler and help him in other ways.  He was also there with sound advice on how to live life for this young man from Albany Ave.

“Dean was more than a basketball coach to me.  He was a person I came to respect and look up to.  I could rely on him if I needed someone to talk to.  To this day I go to Dean because he’s always there to help me,” said Butler.  

Butler’s relationship with Jones and his presence at the YMCA are confirmed by Clinton Hamilton, executive director of the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center.

“Jordan is a great young man who has spent many hours at the Y.  He’s a guy who is looked up to by the young people of the North End who frequent the Y.  He’s an inspiration to others in many ways not only for his ability on the basketball court but for the role model he is,” Hamilton.

This year Butler’s travels brought him to Putnam Science Academy where he was an integral part of the Mustangs 29-5 team that reached the national Prep Championship semifinals.  He averaged double digits in scoring and rebounding and was the guy who was a leader when things were going awry.  At the conclusion of the season Butler was named the team’s Most Valuable Player an honor he also received in the Northeast Prep Tournament.

“Since the inception of our program I’ve never had a player who worked harder in practice and games than Jordan.  Whenever we needed a key rebound or basket Jordan was there for us.  His spirit often sparked not only the team but the entire student body,” said Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa.

Butler has also grown to respect coach Espinosa and attributes his success and growth as a player and student to his coach.  “Coach Espo is a tough task master.  Initially I questioned why he made us do some drills but as the season went on I began to understand his method.  He makes us repeat drills until they become second nature.  That’s why we were so successful this season,” said Butler.

In September Butler will take the next step in his career when he moves on to Norfolk State University where he’ll major in criminal justice and be a scholarship basketball player.  From the North End of Hartford to Smith Middle School to Glastonbury High School to Putnam Science Academy and now on to Norfolk State, the journey of life continues for the young man tabbed “Man Mountain,” Jordan Butler.

My mom and dad, Coach Espo, Dean Jones and others in my life have always stressed, “Play hard. Work hard. Don’t back down from a challenge.  Play with heart.  And the rest will fall in place.”

Jordan Butler has cast a big shadow with his 6-6 frame wherever he has gone in life.  Coming from a loving family he’s been able to succeed not only in basketball but in life.  It’s likely that someday his path may take him back to his roots, where it is certain he’ll help someone else to succeed as he has.

 

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