Longtime Butler football assistant coach Steve Braet – the lone link to all six of Butler's six national championships – has been selected for induction to the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony will be held Saturday, April 29 at Hillside Christian Church at 8830 East Douglas. The ceremony starts at 2 p.m. Admission to the induction ceremony is free, but those who plan to attend are asked to call (316) 264-5222 to RSVP.
"I am very honored to receive this award in a city I have called home since 1972," Braet said. "I would like to thank my family and all the former players that I have coached over the past 40 years. They're the ones that made this possible. Without them, this would never have happened.
I want to thank to my wife, who lets me do what I love to do, and my two sons, who shared me with all of the countless players that I have been with."
Braet has coached college football for 40 seasons, with 36 of those coming at Butler. He first came to El Dorado in 1979 and served as an assistant for three years, helping Butler win its first national title in 1981.
Braet spent two season at Wichita State as an assistant, helping WSU to its best season in two decades with an 8-3 record in 1982.
In 1984, Coach Braet returned to Butler, where he has helped the Grizzlies win five more national championships and 21 more conference titles.Butler has won 22 conference championships with Braet on the sidelines. Under Braet's direction, Butler has become a showcase for outstanding defensive linemen over the years, with several receiving All-American recognition. He has coached 11 future NFL defensive linemen and currently has three former players on NFL rosters (Jonathan Massaquoi, Falcons; Cornellius Carradine, San Francisco; Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas). He has coached 32 All-Americans and in a four-year span had two players named NJCAA National Defensive Players of the year, including Cornellius Carradine in 2010.
A 1976 graduate of Friends University where he played nose guard and played in two bowl games, Braet is married to the former Dana Griffiths. They have two grown sons, (Taylor and Corey), one granddaughter (Brittany Braet) and one grandson (James Braet).
What they're saying about Steve Braet:
"Coach Braet is the stuff of legend. He has meant so much to our football program for so long. Perhaps the best thing about coach is that he's not just looking to win football games. He challenges his players daily to be better as players and as people and he cares about the success of all Butler programs. We have been and continue to be very fortunate to have Steve Braet as a member of our team."
Todd Carter – Butler Athletic Director
"I've always admired my dad. I'm excited for him to receive this honor. He's never been a guy who likes to be in the spotlight. He cares so much about the kids (his other sons) and coaching in the state he calls home (born and raised). He has such a passion for this game. It's good to see him receive recognition for dedicating his life to molding his player into men."
Taylor Braet – Son and Director of Recruiting for Kansas State University Football