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Track and Field
- Title:
- Assistant Coach (Distance)
- Email:
- butlerjm@umkc.edu
- Phone:
- 816-235-5468
James Butler joined the UMKC staff in July of 2011, and coaches the distance/cross country runners. He came to Kansas City after three years at the University of New Mexico.
During his tenure, Butler has helped guide Courtney Frerichs to a pair of Summit League titles and two All-American honors after she finished sixth in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championships and 38th at the NCAA Cross Country Championship.
Frerichs (2012) and Bryce Miller (2014) have also garnered spots on the U.S. IAAF Junior World Championship squad with both competing in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
Cosmas Ayabei, meanwhile, placed 56th at the 2011 NCAA Cross Country Championship under Butlers tutelage.
After serving two years as a graduate assistant at UNM in 2009 and 2010 while coaching the men's and women's track and cross country, Butler moved to a part-time position with the Lobos during his third year, coaching middle distance and cross country.
While there, he led multiple All-American performers, and helped the men's and women's cross country teams to national top 20 finishes in back-to-back seasons (2009 and 2010).
After a stellar high school career at Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, where he was state champion, Butler attended Wake Forest University on a cross country/track scholarship. While at Wake Forest, Butler competed in the NCAA Cross Country Championships on two occasions, and was an NCAA Regional track qualifier in the 5000 meters.
After graduation he moved back to Albuquerque and made coaching stops as an assistant at Del Norte High School, and as the head coach at his alma mater, Eldorado High School, where he produced six state championship teams and individuals. His best athlete, Matt Tebo was a Footlocker regional champion, and fifth placer runner at the Footlocker national finals.
During the two years as a graduate assistant Butler assisted with the daily training of the cross country team, while focusing on the middle distance runners in track. He also coordinates the recruiting efforts of New Mexican high schools.
He was also assistant meet director for all UNM home competitions as well as assisting with the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships and the USA Indoor Masters Track & Field Championships.
Butler, who has a bachelors degree in Computer Science from Wake Forest, completed a Masters degree in Sport Administration from New Mexico.
