Plattsburgh State Athletics

Gary Butler was a three-year starter for the Cardinal baseball team from 1962 to 1964 and played soccer during the 1962 and ’63 seasons.  Named to the 1963 all-State University of New York Athletic Conference baseball team as a junior, Butler was also the Cardinals’ team MVP and senior captain a year later.  Butler also was among the leaders in several Plattsburgh all-time charts:  first with 60 strikeouts in a season (1962), first with 162 career strikeouts, eighth with 22 career appearances and 10th in career winning percentage.  

“Gary was the mainstay of our pitching staff for three seasons, and also was a two-year starter for the soccer team,” wrote former Plattsburgh State administrator and coach Dr. Ernie Rangazas, who passed away in January, in a letter to the Hall of Fame Selection Committee on behalf of Butler’s nomination. “After his Plattsburgh State graduation, he was an effective member of the faculty at Beekmantown Central School, where he also became a successful baseball coach by leading the Eagles to over 300 wins during his tenure.”

A retired teacher and guidance counselor from Beekmantown, Butler now works as a licensed real estate agent and is a baseball volunteer assistant coach at Plattsburgh State.  He also has served as a professional Major League Baseball scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos organizations for over 20 years.

Date of Induction to Cardinal Sports Hall of Fame
October 20, 2006