Dec. 21, 2016
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
On campus in Nashville – Adam Butler understands just how far he has come in his academic career. When he was in middle school, the current Vanderbilt defensive lineman sometimes struggled in school, being forced to spend extra time in tutoring along the way. At the time, he says, a path to a college degree seemed far-fetched.
But those memories are now distant to Butler. Today the Duncanville, Texas native can proudly add a new title to his résumé: Vanderbilt graduate.
“Back then, I never thought I’d be in this position,” Butler said. “This is extremely important to me. I’m very honored to say I’ve achieved this milestone in my life.”
As Vanderbilt prepares to face N.C. State in the Camping World Independence Bowl, Butler’s achievement will soon be recognized. The senior is one of eight Commodores who completed their undergraduate degrees during the fall semester, and they’ll participate in the university’s commencement ceremonies in May. But on Dec. 26, when Vanderbilt kicks off in Shreveport, La., Butler and his seven teammates will don special patches on their black jerseys. The patches, introduced by the SEC earlier this season, read “SEC Graduate”.
Defensive lineman Torey Agee, defensive lineman Adam Butler, offensive lineman Barrett Gouger, offensive lineman Will Holden, offensive lineman Andrew Jelks, defensive back Torren McGaster, defensive lineman Nehemiah Mitchell and linebacker Ja’karri Thomas will join Butler in sporting the graduate patch. Gouger says his degree marks the end of a long but prideful journey at Vanderbilt.
“When you’re a young guy and you see older guys graduate, it really puts it in perspective that it can be done,” Gouger said. “You just have to work hard and take care of business. This is one of the primary reasons I came to a school like Vanderbilt, and it’s obviously a huge milestone for me.”
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason views his eight graduating student-athletes as prime examples of his program’s potential. “The opportunity offered at Vanderbilt is unlike any other,” Mason said. “You can earn a world-class degree while competing in the best conference in America. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch our guys get the best of both worlds.”
Butler, in particular, has made the most of his time on West End. He heads to the Independence Bowl as the team leader in sacks (4.0) and has added 7.5 tackles for loss in 2016. Butler now graduates with a degree in environmental communications, a field of study he created through Vanderbilt’s interdisciplinary major program. He held an internship with the Tennessee Environmental Council this summer and participated in creek restoration projects in rural Tennessee. One day, Butler hopes to forge a career with a similar nonprofit, one that will allow him to positively impact the environment.
Butler once thought that future was nothing more than a dream. But as his career at Vanderbilt comes to an end, he now feels anything is possible.
“This degree is beyond every other degree in the SEC,” Butler said. “I can’t describe how great I feel.”
