National Football Foundation

Wade Butcher defined the scholar-athlete ideal at Vanderbilt. A Newport, Tenn., native, he earned a reputation as the university’s best defensive and offensive end, claiming accolades as one of the team’s most valuable players. His success on the football field extended to the Commodore’s basketball court where he excelled as a star player too.

A devoted student, he majored in electrical engineering, and he belonged to the electrical engineering fraternity and the engineering honor society. Because of his success in the classroom, Butcher became a mainstay on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Butcher also participated in Vanderbilt’s ROTC program, earning the rank of First Lieutenant.