NMAA ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME ‘CLASS OF 2023’
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The New Mexico Activities Association, in conjunction with the NMAA Hall of Fame Committee, announces the Class of 2023 for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. The NMAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon will take place on July 22nd at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Albuquerque.
Joe Butler – St. Michael’s HS, Santa Fe HS, Moriarty HS, NMAA
Joe Butler is the 115th inductee into the NMAA Hall of Fame, with a career in education that spanned nearly 30 years. He devoted his career to serving the youth of New Mexico.
Butler graduated No. 4 in his class from St. Michael’s High School in 1969 and was a member of the basketball, baseball, and tennis teams. He was named to the 1969 All-North Basketball team and the State Basketball All-Tournament team. That same year, Butler earned All-State honors in Baseball as well. On the tennis court, Butler was a state singles semi-finalist in 1965.
He furthered his education at the University of Notre Dame from 1969-1973, earning a BBA in Accounting. During his spare time at Notre Dame, Butler was also a member of the Fighting Irish Baseball team.
Following graduating, Butler worked for the accounting firm Ernst and Ernst from 1973 to 1975, then as a real estate broker from 1975 to 1986.
In 1986, Butler begam his career in education, back where it all started, at St. Michael’s High School, as a classroom teacher from 1986 to 2001. During that time, he taught Accounting, Law, Marketing, Management and Business Math. Butler also served as Athletic Director and a coach, from 1986 to 1998 for the Horsemen, organizing and operating 19 varsity sports, including planning and fiscal operations for the athletic department. His coaching duties included 12 years as the varsity tennis coach, while assisting in the sports of volleyball, softball, baseball, and basketball.
Then in 1998, Butler took on a new role as the school’s Director of Development and Properties Manager, coordinating the first major capital campaign in school history ($3 million), while directing and planning the construction of the Tipton Sports Complex.
In 2002, Butler left St. Michael’s, for the private sector, working as a loan officer for City Mortgage, Inc., until 2005. In June of 2005, Butler assumed the Athletic Coordinator role at Santa Fe High School, overseeing 19 varsity sports and 60 coaches. He then took the Athletic Directors position at Moriarty High school in July of 2007, where he oversaw the athletic programs for the high school and two middle schools.
Butler then moved to the New Mexico Activities Association in July of 2012, where he spent six years as an Assistant Director, overseeing the sports of soccer and tennis and the activities of Mock Trial and One-Act Production. He was also responsible for NMAA Hardship Eligibility Committee and, in 2017, implemented the statewide athletic director education and mentorship program. In 2018, Butler retired from the NMAA.
Following his retirement, Butler continued to give back as a consultant for the New Mexico Athletic Directors Association, the NMAA and member schools. He also helps as a site manager for the annual State Tennis Championships every May.
Butler earned numerous honors during his career including the NMAA Distinguished Service Award (2011), the Mel Otero NM Outstanding Sportsmanship Award (2007), the Mortgage Originator Magazine USA Top100 new loan originator, the University of Notre Dame Distinguished Alumni Award, (2001), the NMAA Interscholastic Educator of the Year for the State of New Mexico (1996), St. Michael’s High School “Brother Botulph Award” (1994), and the Wood Bros Homes “National Salesperson of the Year” in 1981.
Over his career, Butler served on several committees, President of the NMAA Foundation (2019-present), Treasurer Monte del Sol Charter School Board (2019-present), member of the NMHSCA and NMADA (1986-2018), President of the Notre Dame Club of Northern New Mexico (2003-2006), St. Michael‘s Foundation Board (1998-2000), Governors Council on Physical Fitness (1993-1996), and State Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (1989-1993).
Butler and his wife, Graciela, have four children, Cayce, Leslie, Joey and Jessica, as well as nine grandchildren. He resides in Santa Fe, N.M.
The NMAA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and is comprised of an elite group of 114 accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic athletics and activities in New Mexico. In order to be considered, nominees must show great support of the NMAA’s philosophy and objectives, they must have a combination of involvement in formulating regulations and procedures for various interscholastic education programs, and they must have a minimum of 25 years of service, 20 of which must have been in New Mexico. Nominations are then screened by the NMAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee which consists of current and former leaders within interscholastic athletics and activities. The committee meets in October each year and then selects a maximum of four individuals for induction. The Class of 2023 – Joe Butler – will represent the 115th member of this prestigious group.
