In a message to the Butler University community earlier this morning, Butler Vice President and Director of Athletics Barry Collier announced his retirement, effective April 30, 2024. His message, as well as a message from Butler President James Danko to the Butler community following Collier’s announcement, can be found below.

Additional information on Collier’s career and accomplishments can be found here.

Message from Barry Collier, Butler University Vice President and Director of Athletics

Dear Butler Community:

After more than fifty years in collegiate athletics, thirty-one as a member of the Butler family, and, after much thought and prayer, I have decided to retire, effective April 30, 2024. I look forward to spending more time with my loving wife, Annette, and our growing family and friends.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities afforded me as a student-athlete, coach, and director of athletics and for the many wonderful relationships that I have built along the way. While it has been my privilege to be a member of teams at eight different institutions, Butler is the place that I have always called home.

When I first stepped onto Butler’s campus in the fall of 1974, I immediately felt at home. I loved my time in a Bulldog uniform and competing in Hinkle Fieldhouse. While my coaching career took me around the country for years, my heart was never too far from Indianapolis. In 1989, the opportunity to lead the Butler Bulldog men’s basketball program was the fruition of a dream, and my eleven years on the bench were memorable. To be able to return to Butler in 2006 to lead the Department of Athletics has been the icing on the cake.

It has been my honor to be a part of the Butler Family, to proudly wear the blue and white uniform, then to recruit and mentor tremendous young men as the men’s basketball coach, and to have them remain a part of my life; and to lead an athletics department of incredibly talented professionals who work each and every day on behalf of our student-athletes. I am also very thankful for the support of our trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors.

I have pledged to President Danko my assistance in any way that he requests through the transition, and I have offered to continue to help the University in any possible way in the years ahead. I will always be a proud Bulldog.

Thank you and Go Dawgs!

Sincerely,
Barry Collier

Message from James Danko, Butler University President

Dear Butler Community:

Earlier today, Barry Collier, a cornerstone of Butler University as a coach and as a Vice President and Director of Athletics, shared with the community his intention to step down from his position effective April 30, 2024.

Throughout his time at Butler as a student-athlete, coach, administrator, and leader, Barry has personified our core values of dedication, spirit, and excellence. He has consistently demonstrated these qualities with utmost integrity and distinction. While it is impossible to encapsulate all of Barry’s accomplishments here, rest assured that his contributions are both significant and numerous.

In the coming months, we will take every opportunity to honor Barry’s remarkable legacy at Butler University. He will also play a pivotal role in the Department of Athletics leadership transition over the next six months. I will be in touch with further updates regarding the transition in due course.

Today, we pause to extend our deepest thanks and to celebrate one of our very own. And knowing Barry, he will remain committed to the work at hand through the transition.

Warm regards,
Jim Danko