THS track athlete continuing career in college

Published 3:14 pm Thursday, March 15, 2018

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A Thompson High School track and field athlete will be expanding the THS name northward next year, as she inked a scholarship to continue her career during a March 15 ceremony.

THS student Ebony Butler signed with Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Indiana, while surrounded by friends, family members, teammates and coaches in the THS cafeteria.

“This is a huge accomplishment, and we’re excited for the opportunity you have to further your academic education and your career, and I know that’s something that’s going to be exciting for you,” said THS Athletic Director Vincent Pitts. “It’s a testament to the work Ebony has put in. It’s a constant grind, it’s a lot of hours, and it speaks to our coaches, the time and effort they’ve put in and the development they provide. Just happy and proud for our coaching staff and our entire track program. The things our program has accomplished has been fantastic, and I think they’re going to just continue to accomplish great things.”

THS assistant track coach Mason Dye said he wished the track program could hang onto Butler for a few more years.

“It’s our honor and our privilege to have an opportunity to coach Ebony these past two years. When she came last year, we knew she was capable of accomplishing great things. She had a great foundation and a great work ethic, so all we really had to do as coaches was just tweak a little bit,” Dye said. “She puts the work in, and that’s what we’ve been excited to see. We know she’s a role model to so many of you, especially you younger athletes. If you notice, she’s the first one there, and the last one to leave, and it shows and it pays off. Of course it’s no surprise that she excels in the classroom, and we know she’ll excel at the next level.”

Butler was quick to shift the spotlight onto the support she’s received from the Alabaster community.

“It’s not just me. It takes the community for me to do this and be at Indiana Tech,” Butler said.