Set to begin his 41st 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 2011 season fifth on the list for all-time for most victories (567) 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 14 years.

A master motivator and strategist, Butcher will be tested again this season as his Owls set about the task of defending their 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 eight times, posting a conference-best record of 74-16-8 and a tournament mark of 14-5-2.  

Butcher demonstrated his soccer sorcery last season, helping the Owls to 14-4-2 season and the programs' 10th trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.

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 558-221-69 mark during his 40-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 66 All-LEC players since 1997.          

Owner of an overall 567-235-70 (.690 pct.) career mark over 42 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 

607      Joe Bean, Wheaton, Bridgeport, Quinnipiac

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

585      Jay Martin*, Ohio Wesleyan

583     Tony Tocco*, Rockhurst

567      Ron Butcher*, UW-Platteville, Keene State

544      Jerry Yeagley, Indiana

540      Steve Negoesco, San Francisco

*active                     

 Active Career Wins - Division III

585      Jay Martin, Ohio Wesleyan

583    Tony Tocco, Rockhurst

567      Ron Butcher, UW-Platteville, Keene State

A player on Coach Butcher's earlier teams, Rick Scott is set to begins his 18 overall campaign on the Owls' men's soccer staff and his 12th year serving as an associate head coach.

An All-New England and All-Conference sweeper for the Owls during the mid-'70s, Scott played on several NAIA tournament teams at KSC. After his playing career, the Claremont, N.H., native served 11 seasons as head coach at Keene High School, leading the boy's varsity team to a pair of Class L titles and a 126-35-12 record. He also started the Cheshire Youth Soccer Club in 1994.

Kevin Chevalier begins his eighth season with the KSC program. A former four-year (1994-97) standout with the Owls, will help Head Coach Ron Butcher with all phases of the program, including scouting and on the field coaching.

A fixture at midfield for the Owls, "Chevy" finished his career with 23 goals, 28 assists, and 74 points. Named to All-Region and All-Little East teams as a senior, Chevalier led KSC to a pair of post-season tournament appearances, including its first Division III NCAA berth in 1997.

Matt Caron begins his fourth season as the Owls goaltending coach.  A technically sound netminder during his four-year (2002-05) Owl career, Caron closely monitors Keene State's talented group of veteran and first-year keepers.

Prior to joining the Owls, Caron, a native of Amston, Conn., was a two-year starter at RHAM High school who earned All-Conference honors as a senior.  Caron earned his physical education degree in 2006.