Wichita, KS – Butler Grizzlies football coach Troy Morrell was honored by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission with the Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year award during the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on Friday, June 26.
Over 450 people attended the banquet, which recognizes the achievements and dedication of local youth, high school, college and professional athletes and coaches.
Coach Morrell finished his ninth year as head coach of the Grizzlies in 2008 and his 13th overall at Butler Community College. Morrell has led Butler to an overall record of 96-11 (.896), the highest all-time Region VI winning percentage for a coach, and a Jayhawk Conference record of 60-3 (.952). In the Region VI playoffs, Morrell's teams have been nearly unbeatable, compiling a record of 21-2 (.913).
Morrell has led Butler to three national championships, including back-to-back national championships the past two seasons. The 2008 Grizzlies won the title by beating Snow College of Utah, 37-30, in double overtime to finish the year with an 11-1 record. The 2007 Grizzlies were perfect with a 12-0 record. Morrell also guided the Grizzlies to the NJCAA and JC Gridwire titles in 2003 with another perfect 12-0 record, while playing in two other national title games (2001 and 2004).
Created in 1998, the Coach of the Year Award was named for its inaugural recipient, Wichita State University baseball coach Gene Stephenson. Since that time, the award recognizes area coaches that embody the same greatness as Coach Stephenson and have achieved something truly extraordinary during the year.
