November 24, 2022
Feature 9 The Bear
A salute to WBHS Head Football Coach Butch Pedersen
COACH/COLLEAGUE QUOTES
“It was about 1988, and Butch and I were going to a
coaching clinic in Lincoln, Nebraska. The famous Tom Os-
borne was the head coach, and after the first day of the
clinic, the University of Nebraska put on a raffle for all the
coaches and alumni. Butch and I went to the raffle and
made ourselves at home at the table with all the Nebraska
coaches. The next thing we knew, we were talking football
with the best coaches in the nation, writing plays on nap-
kins, having a great time, and drinking lots of beverages.
The only thing I remember was the next morning when
Butch and I woke up in our hotel room, Butch had spinach
dip on his teeth. But, we had gained the Wing T offense
from this clinic, which was new for everybody, especially
our opponents. It helped us win 3 State Championships and
only lose a couple in-season football games over the next
10 years, all credit to some great players.
Football is a game of the thrill of victory and the agony
of defeat. It’s about being a competitor; it’s about deter-
mining if you are willing to do what it takes to be winner.
Butch was always very meticulous and organized and did
what it took to be a winner. I know Butch will battle this
cancer and go on to be a winner, like he has done his whole
life.
Just like the game Friday night [MFL MarMac], you
never know. Just when everything looks the bleakest, if you
believe great things can happen, they will. I believe, like
all of you, great things are going to happen to the Bears
football team and Butch!”
- Coach Larry “Lurch” Rummells,
Offensive Coordinator, 1983-2013
“It’s been a little strange not having Butch on the
sideline for the playoff games, but knowing he’s in the
press box watching is comforting. We can still talk to him
on the headphones when we need to. What’s been really
neat is the determination and grit that Butch instills in the
kids is still there, even when he’s not on the sideline. It’s
been ingrained in the them. His team reflects his personal-
ity. He always says ‘smash mouth football,’ and that’s the
way they play. That helped carry them through those last
two tough playoff wins.
Butch having a fight of his own has inspired all of
us He’s going through something harder than a football
game and giving everything he’s got, so the players know
that they can reach deep and give all they have in a football
game.”
- Coach John Hierseman, Class of 1990,
Offensive Coordinator, 2013-present
“Butch has had a huge impact on thousands of stu-
dent and athletes over the years. I'm grateful for the many
life lessons he's taught me through athletics. I had Butch
for a reading teacher in 3rd and 4th grade, and I hated to
read. He would have about 8 of us sit at a table, and each
would go around reading a couple sentences out loud. He
had a way of building your confidence and not fear making
a mistake. Everybody helped each other out, and he made
reading fun for us all.
The best part of having Butch for a grade school
teacher was recess. He was ‘all time’ QB for both teams.
We'd play a couple minutes longer after the bell rang most
days, and the game would usually end in a tie. We couldn't
wait to some day play for him in HS.
Butch coached me and my classmates in JH track
and HS basketball and football. He was hard and tough but
also caring and encouraging. You were expected to practice
hard and play for one another, and good things would
happen. He stressed discipline and physicality. Our teams
never felt unprepared for any opponent, both mentally and
physically. Butch is the first to lend a helping hand to any
former player, student, or friend in need. Butch is way more
than a football coach, and after all he's done for so many,
he now faces his toughest opponent, and we are going to
help him win.
I am one of the few coaches that did not play for
Butch but to me he is West Branch Football. He demands
a lot from his players and coaches which gives us respon-
sibility to get the job done. His players have always played
hard for him, love and respect him.”
- Coach Kevin Braddock; Class of 1992;
Special Teams, Defensive Backs,
Wide Receivers; 2016-present
“Since this is my first year coaching, I don’t yet have
many coaching memories with Butch. However, one of my
favorite memories from my playing days at WB was when
I was a junior [1996]. We played at Williamsburg. Both
teams were undefeated. It was the last game of the year,
and the district title was on the line. KCRG did a story the
week of the game interviewing Williamsburg residents who
were convinced they would win. Mind you, 2 years earlier,
when we played there, we won 50-0, but they had gotten
much better. In the 4th quarter of the game, we’re ahead,
but they were within striking distance. We intercepted a
pass and ran it back for a touchdown. Butch was running
down the sideline in excitement, knowing we had sealed
the game.
Butch genuinely cares about the kids and seeing
them succeed, not just as players, but as young men and
women. Winning is fun and the ultimate goal, but having a
positive impact on the team members is so much more.
As for the semifinal game, it’s always tough to lose,
but it was awesome to have Butch back on the sideline.”
- Coach Steven Grace, Class of 1998,
JV Head Coach, 2022-present
“There have been so many memories, funny and se-
rious, over the last few years. I guess the most memorable
one for me would be during the first year I was coaching
with Butch. We were playing Dyersville Beckman at the
Little Rose Bowl, and I was knocked over on the sidelines
by two players going for the ball. I got knocked out. The
first thing I remember when I came to was Butch standing
over me and a camera man hovering over me. The game
was being televised. The first words out of Butch’s mouth
to me were ‘are you okay?’ The second words out of his
mouth to the camera man were “get that camera out of his
face, and get out of here!” I was attended by our team doc-
tor [Brad Heithoff] and trainer [Scott Thoma] and resumed
my coaching duties.”
- Coach Chet Wisniewski; Offensive &
Defensive Line, Runningback Coach; 2018-present
“I love to watch Butch push the players to perform,
and when they do, he's the first person to congratulate them
on a play they did especially well at.
I want to say that his presence was always felt in the first
2 playoff games [when he wasn’t on the sidelines]. The
coaches and players knew what to do and how he'd do it.
Everybody still gave their perfect effort because that's what
Butch expected from them. That's a real credit to both the
coaching staff and the players.
I think the coaching staff did a great job of motivat-
ing the team and helping them to realize that this [the semi-
final game] would be one of those moments they talk about
for a lifetime. They knew they were playing for more than
just themselves; they were playing for Butch and his
family.”
- Pete Swisher, Stats, 2022-present
“There are tons of memories with Butch. One of my
favorite stories is an opening night game several years ago.
It was a typical first game of the season in August, very hot
and tensions running high. During the 2nd quarter, there
was an official’s timeout for a water break due to the ex-
treme heat. Butch calls for water to be taken to the players,
but no one is available to take water to them. Right after
the time out, the person who was responsible for taking
water to the players returned to the sideline. Butch asked,
‘Where were you? The players needed water, and you were
nowhere to be found!’ The response was ‘I was on a break.’
Butch responded, ‘ON BREAK? THERE’S NO BREAKS!
PEOPLE WITH REAL JOBS DON’T TAKE BREAKS!’
I think this year’s team will be inspired by knowing
how much time and effort he has put into the program for
so many decades, and they are fighting for Butch. Butch
always preaches life lessons, but this time it is personnel.
He is still in shock, and you can bet he will be fighting this
disease.
This may sound cliché, but Butch really isn’t just
about the football program. Yes, he cares for his players,
but he also makes sure the cheerleaders, choir, and the band
are also included and recognized. He really tries to get as
many people involved during football season. There are
many behind the scenes people that make it happen: clock
operators, chain gang (yes, Andy Corr), stat guys, man-
agers, ball boys, field staff, film crew, Bearcast guys, med-
ical staff, on and on and on. The bottom line is that Butch
is a true Bear. He has coached many other sports at WB as
well, not just football. There are not many other football
coaches who can be seen following and supporting other
sports teams at their school like Butch. You can bet he will
be in attendance for regular season, postseason, and state
tournament games for these other programs at WB.”
- Darin Lamont, Stats, 2010-2020
“Butch has coached many students throughout the
years in various sports. He has taught the students to be a
team, a family. Just like it takes a village to raise a child,
there is no I in team. Family is something special to be a
part of no matter what type it is. He welcomed me with
open arms into the football family. He patiently taught me
about the sport. Butch made sure I knew if we were on of-
fense or defense during practice, so I wouldn't get run over,
or maybe so I wouldn't be in the way of the drill.
Butch has been very supportive and understanding
when it comes to personal family as well. This was a rough
season for me personally since the beginning. My own
father had been battling with illness before his passing in
October. Upon my return, Butch wanted me to hear from
him about his own battle. It was hard to see him up in the
press box for the postseason, but nonetheless, I fully un-
derstood the risk he was taking with a now compromised
immune system.
The seniors this year had overcome many obstacles
during their high school career, but they stuck together as
a family and deserved the opportunity to play at the UNI
Dome. Inside, I was very emotional when the garage door
opened at the start of the game to see Butch walking out
with all the coaches in front of the boys. Although Butch
was on the sideline, it was different to have him off to the
side of the players as opposed to being in front of them and
close to the official. We are very fortunate to have a great
coaching staff coaching these wonderful young men, espe-
cially during this postseason. Thank you Butch for your
caring leadership. There is nothing better than watching
some good ol' Smash Mouth Football!”
- Jodee Culver, FB Manager Sponsor, 2017-present
“Coach Pedersen is an amazing motivator and CEO
of WB Football. His leadership and influence at all levels
has created the foundation for success at all levels of foot-
ball in WB. He reminds me a lot of Coach Hayden Fry in
that he does a good job of delegating to his assistant
coaches and leading from the front as the head coach.
Coach Pedersen taught me that football was a game
about toughness, and the most physical team had the best
chance of winning.
Coach went with me for a game day visit at Iowa
State my senior year in HS. They were playing Iowa in
Ames. Iowa won the game by a fairly large margin, and
early in the game, Coach quietly asked me which team I
was leaning towards, and I told him I was going to go to
Iowa!
He instilled in us that physical nature of the game of
football. Moving from QB to TE at the collegiate level, I
had to learn how to take on BIG 10 DEs, LBs and safeties.
The lessons learned at WB carried over into the collegiate
and NFL Level for me.
Every time that Regina played against WB, there
was a part of me that truly felt one of my teams would win.
I am and always will be a WB alum, and I’m very proud
of the community and all the support I received while liv-
ing there. In several of those games, I was coaching against
my nephews, and I love those guys. It was incredible to be
able to stand on the sideline and watch both teams play
great football.
When coaching, I believe we both want to see the
kids reach their full potential both on and off the field, and
when playing, you hope to see 2 quality opponents play
with great pride and passion to represent their team and
community.
When I think of Butch Pedersen, striving for excel-
lence comes to mind. I coached 14 seasons. He has coached
over 3 times longer than me, and his ability to year after
year have WB Football play at such a high level has truly
amazed me.
I would like him to know the positive impact he has
had on so many of us who have played or coached along-
side of him. He plays such a large role in the lives of those
who play for him, and I believe his intentions are to not
only make us the best football players possible, but the help
us become the best version of ourselves off the field as
well.”
- Marv Cook; Class of 1984; Iowa Hawkeye FB; NFL
1989-1995 (NE Patriots, Chicago Bears, &
St. Louis Rams); Former Regina Head FB Coach
“I know that I’m not really involved in coaching
football or anything, but I have known Butch in a lot of dif-
ferent roles throughout my life, and I think that in addition
to coaching, people should also hear about his teaching.
First, Butch was my 3rd & 4th grade teacher. Before I had
him as a teacher, I was a slacker…extremely capable but
completely unmotivated to do well. I didn’t really like
school. But, when I wasn’t working in class, I was a pretty
keen observer of what was going on in the classroom. I
would watch how Butch interacted with certain students,
especially the athletes, the ‘brains,’ and the ‘problem’ stu-
dents. I realized I wasn’t really any of those. I was simply
there, kind of invisible. I felt unimportant, and I didn’t like
that. I eventually realized that I craved that attention…but
which kind? My best friend Toni Meder was a ‘brain,’ and
I knew I could do a lot better in school than I was. So, deci-
sion made, I worked my butt off on everything to get per-
fect scores. As a surprised Butch began to see my
improvement, he would look at me with consideration, like
he had just noticed I was there, and he was trying to figure
me out. Then he would comment nicely and encourage me.
I lived for that…being noticed, being complimented. When
he started to compare me with Toni on some things, I fi-
nally felt successful…maybe for the first time in my young
life. I now had a goal, a clear path - to study hard and
achieve. That goal stayed with me throughout my HS and
college careers, so much so that I became a teacher/adviser
myself. Butch made me want to do better, to BE better. In
the many years I’ve known him, I don’t think I’ve ever told
him that.
I met up with Butch again in HS. He played several
different roles during my 4 years: softball coach, AD, and
basketball coach. Again, I felt his recognition and encour-
agement, and I worked hard, but I certainly wasn’t a star
player in those sports; there were so many great athletes
ahead of me. What Butch did do for me, though, was show
me that I was strong and could find my sports niche, which
was ultimately shot put and discus in track where I
achieved the school records. I kept the discus record for 28
years, and I’m so proud of that. (I want to mention here
that my dad Dick Krall still holds the WBHS shot put
record of 50’1” from 1958, so it kind of ran in the family.)
But, that’s what Butch does for you - he gives you a sense
of place and pride. He motivates, and he really wants you
to succeed. He doesn’t give up on you.
As I rearranged my teaching career about 10 years
ago, I ended up subbing in several Cedar County schools,
including WB. I ended up subbing for Butch a few times
when he was the HS at-risk teacher - he’s man who has
worn many hats over the years. Then, when I was hired at
WB 7 years ago, Butch had ‘retired’ and would sometimes
sub for me. Talk about cyclical! I loved chatting with him
when he was in the building. He would stop in my class-
room just to see how I was doing and to warn all his foot-
ball players to behave in my classes because we were tight,
and I was supposed to tell him if there were any problems.
He truly had my back. Seriously. That was so cool! He
would also brag about me, how I was really smart, a strong
athlete in my day, and a damn good teacher. Yep. I would
smile and blush, but inside, I was beaming with pride. I
loved that he treated me, his old 3rd & 4th grade student,
like I was special. He also treated me like a colleague - an
equal. He would even come to me to help him with com-
puter issues, like accessing his email and Powerschool
(darn tricky passwords), so it was nice to be able to help
him a little in return. I realize that with Butch, it seems like
people either love him or hate him, but you can’t deny his
FB legacy as the top dog figure head who motives his
players, instills a ‘can do’ attitude in them, and has worked
hard to turn WB FB into a proud tradition of hard work and
success over the years, and I can’t deny that he helped me
become a much better me than I had ever thought I could
be. Thank you, Butch.
- Karina Krall, Class of 1985, WBHS English & Jour-
nalism Teacher
FAMILY QUOTES
1.) What was it like growing up with Butch as a dad and
as a coach? Do you feel he treated you differently than
other players? Dad was always working to get the best out
of his players and us kids as well. Dad always told us kids
that we would have to be much better to play, or we would-
n't get a chance.
2.) How did the Bears do during your 4 years in HS?
We did okay; we made it to the state playoffs for the first
time in school history in 1988, and we won the state title
in 1989.
3.) What was the most important thing he taught you
as a coach about the game and about life? Dad always
taught life lessons: how to become a better person, how to
handle adversity, and how to come out on top.
4.) What was it like to face off against Butch as a brand
new coach? Did you have a strategy all worked out to
beat him? Explain. What was the outcome of the game?
Dad and I have battled multiple times on the field. I want
to beat his team just as bad as he wants to beat my teams.
I don't pay much attention to stats, but I am guessing we
are close to even in our match-ups.
5.) How many years have you been coaching against
him now? This is my 30th year as a coach and 19th as a
head coach. We have faced off when I was an assistant as
well as when I was a head coach.
6.) Any funny stories or memorable moments you want
to share? I remember being a ball boy and watching my
dad work the sidelines and coaching the kids. I always
loved his passion for the game and, more importantly, his
passion for the kids. In practice, one of many favorite
memories was watching him break a wooden clipboard
over a player’s helmet when the player was not listening
in practice. He had to change over time; you couldn't do
that now. *Dad was also a head girls and boys basketball
coach as well as a head softball coach, and he coached
track for a long period of time as well.
7.) What are your family gatherings like? There is al-
ways some sporting event on TV when dad has the remote,
and when mom does, it is usually a rerun we have seen 100
times or the Andy Griffith Show.
8.) Is there anything you'd like to say to your dad right
now? I believe the greatest joy my dad gets out of being a
coach is being a mentor to people older and young. I would
guess that dad spends 4-5 hours a day on WB FB year
round. Every night he is calling or someone is calling him
for help in some way shape or form. He has a passion for
helping others and putting others ahead of himself. Dad
has truly taken on the role of coach in our community. But
what does coach mean? To dad, it means being a father, a
counselor, a mentor, a volunteer, a preacher, a motivator, a
consoler, a believer, a life long learner, a friend, and a dis-
ciplinarian. He has always been and always will be there
for the kids [now a lot of adults] of the WB Community.
He is my inspiration and the reason I went into education
and why I am a head coach today!
- Lance Pedersen, Mt. Vernon Head Football Coach,
(Son)
1.) What was it like growing up with Butch as a dad and
as a coach who was constantly busy with his players?
How was his dad role different from his coach role?
How was it the same? I remember going out to eat as a
family. We would sit in a booth, and Dad would take a
paper napkin and start drawing plays and formations on the
napkins. As Lance got older, they would brainstorm how
would you defend this or where is the opening, all while
we were waiting for our food. I remember I would want
to be included too, so dad had this ruler thing with precut
circles for the positions (all before technology), and Dad
would let me trace the circles and squares, so I was in-
cluded, too.
Dad was always tough. I remember I hurt my ankle
my senior year in Lynette Poula’s class. Dad caught wind
of it and pulled me out of class to assess it and let me know
what I needed to do to play in the next night of volleyball.
He chewed my butt, too, because he thought I was messing
around–which I wasn’t. He would come home after watch-
ing me play sports and break things down from his per-
spective. We butted heads a lot, but I knew that he was
always in my corner. Mom had to play mediator a lot.
The biggest difference is how dad (and mom) are as
grandparents. All of the grandkids have them wrapped
around their fingers. Dad will come home after subbing or
on lunch break, and Myah asks for chicken nuggets, and
he turns right around and gets them. If that was us growing
up, there was no way he would do it. He is so proud of all
his grandkids.
I remember our vacations always had an element of sport
in them. One spring break, we went to visit the Notre Dame
Campus and the National Football Hall of Fame, and then
we drove to the University of Indiana and walked around
looking for Bobby Knight. One summer, we were going to
a lake house in Michigan, and Dad called us as we cara-
vaned. He said, ‘Hey, Notre Dame isn’t that far, lets go.’
We would often go to the Bears Training Camp in Platte-
ville. Once we left the Bears Camp and went north to the
Saints Camp. We met several of the players and coaches.
Mom and Dad took a trip to Europe where Dad was coach-
ing a basketball team for Iowa. He coached Kurt Warner
on this trip.
2.) Did you ever have him personally as a coach? Dad
coached me when I was little. He was harder on me than
anyone else on the team. He always told me that I had to
prove that I deserved to be out there more than anyone else.
As I grew up, he had football when I was in volleyball. He
coached boys basketball when I was in girls (we played at
opposite locations). He wanted to coach me in softball, but
I told him no way.
3.) Any funny stories or memorable moments you want
to share? Mom told me that when I was a baby, she took
me to West Liberty to watch Dad coach basketball. Half-
way through the game, play had to stop because someone
had thrown a glass baby bottle onto the floor, and it shat-
tered. He, of course, threw a fit. It was me. I threw the bot-
tle.
Dad is probably the most superstitious person
around. We all have ‘things’ we do because we did it and
got a win. Recently, my husband Dano took Dad to a treat-
ment, and Dad said he was upset because Dano was going
to take a certain route to the hospital. Dad yelled at him
and told him he couldn’t go that way. They had to take a
different, specific route since we were winning. Then, once
at the hospital, Dano had to park on the 5th floor next to a
cone. He didn’t understand why he had to park all the way
up there when there were so many open spots down below.
It was because this is where we always park, and you don’t
want to mess that up when you’re winning.
Mom and I also had to wear the same outfit for 12
straight games since we were winning. We didn’t want to
jinx it. Another example of his superstitiousness is that the
football coaches come and enjoy the fire pit at our house
after the games. Our old fire pit had the wheels fall of and
was in terrible shape. Kevin Braddock bought a new one.
They wanted to burn in that one, but I told them they would
jinx it if they didn’t use the old one, so they burned in both.
After the MFL MarMac game, the coaches had to go into
the garage because of the rain. Myah pulled the fire pit into
the garage because it was tradition to sit around it. There
sat all the coaches around a fire pit that wasn’t burning be-
cause they had to.
4.) What are your family gatherings/outings like? The
Iowa Hawkeyes are definitely our favorite college team.
After Friday night football, my mom would get us up early
and take us to IC for the Hawkeye games. Great Grandpa
Brown was the head groundskeeper at Iowa and had a box
in the pressbox. Once he passed away, Great Grandma had
tickets on the 50-yard line. Mom and Dad had season
tickets, and we shared Grandma Brown’s tickets. If we did-
n’t go to the game, we stayed at her house. I remember
packing all these cars onto her front lawn and being able
to hear the PA announcer at Kinnick in her front yard. We
lived football!!!!
5.) Is there anything you'd like to say to your dad right
now? I would tell Dad that he is the strongest man I know.
He is the reason that I got into teaching and coaching. See-
ing how he has touched so many lives made me emulate
him. If I can be half the educator that he is, I would con-
sider that a success. Of course, I love him, and he knows
that we are here for him every step of the way.
6.) What's it like having your husband as one of Butch's
assistant coaches? Are there ever any tense moments at
home? When Dano decided to coach, we had a big sit
down. Mom and I told them that we were not going to be
in the middle, so don’t bring it to us. I remember one of the
first times Dano said he got his butt chewed by dad, I told
him good; he probably deserved it. Later, I told him wel-
come to the club. Clearly he is yelling because he sees
something in him. When Dad stops yelling is when you
need to be concerned.
7.) Is there anything you'd like the public to know?
People always think of Dad as a great football coach, and
HE IS!!! This didn’t happen over night. The day after our
loss, Dad was up in his office working on football. If you
go to the house, the basement is a library of football. Pic-
tures and plaques are on every wall. But, what I am most
proud of is him being a dad and grandfather. There is noth-
ing that he wouldn’t do for those that he calls family. I re-
member when Myah was, like, a week old. I was taking
Kason to daycare and Kooper to school. I was rear ended
right outside the high school. As I was waiting for the po-
lice to show up, I called Dad. He could tell I was worked
up and said he would be right there. Because it was at the
start of the day, buses and cars made it impossible for him
to take the road to get to me. SOOOO, Dad threw the truck
in 4 wheel drive and went across the grass just to get to me
and the kids. This is Dad. He will stop at nothing to get to
his family. There is a reason why there is an emphasis on
family. He believes in it with all his heart.
- Kari Pedersen Zuniga, West Liberty Schools 3rd
Grade Teacher, (Daughter)
“I have many memories of Dad coaching at WB and
the differences he has made in so many peoples’ lives. He
has always been my hero and the person I look up to, both
on the football field and at home. Being the son of a coach
is not exactly the easiest path to success in a small town.
He always stressed to me that he was going to be harder
on me than anyone else and that I needed to be the hardest
worker in the room to earn my spot. You learn early on to
block out the outside noise and stay true to who you are
and put in the work when no one else is. Dad and I would
be in the gym putting the work in when most kids we’re
running around town. Those moments are the ones that I
cherish the most because he would tell me exactly what I
needed to hear; no one else would ever hear a word of it.
One of dad’s favorite quotes was from Norm Parker
at Iowa: ‘Football is tough sport played by tough people.’
The same can be said about life in general. With Dad’s re-
cent cancer diagnosis, he’s showing everyone exactly how
tough he is both mentally and physically. His career is far
from over! We will beat this together and will continue to
invest in the kids at WB and beyond. I can’t wait to see him
reach his 400th win and raise another state title banner at
WB.
Championships are always special to everyone in-
volved in the town of WB, but I know that dad’s greatest
wins are taking a kid heading down the wrong path and
talking them into going out for football, not necessarily be-
cause they will be the star player, but because being a part
of family and gaining structure is what that kid needs.
There are countless kids that have gone out for football to
later become super successful and have told me the reason
for their success was because of dad.
The lessons you learn in sports will stay with you in
every facet of life. Working in healthcare the last two years
have been extremely difficult for many reasons. There were
countless times that I would rely on my experiences in team
sports that I used to get me through those difficult times…
teamwork, resiliency, communication, leadership, and grit.
I always get a good laugh when people think that
Dad is going to be a tough, intense coach at home with his
kids and grandkids. He’s the biggest softy at home with his
grandkids. He’s the first one the kids go to when they want
dessert or if they want something they know they shouldn’t
have. He can’t say no to them.”
- Kip Pedersen; Assistant Director | Office of The Pa-
tient Experience; Coaching Program, Interpreting
Services, and Spiritual Services;
University of Iowa Health Care; (Son)
PLAYER QUOTES
“Over the duration of my sophomore and junior sea-
sons, Butch was always on my ass about having a good at-
titude and staying composed. Whenever I didn’t do that or
I acted in a way he didn't like, he would make me run to
‘my sign,’ which was the Liberty Communications sign in
the outfield of the high school baseball diamond. Whenever
he would chew me out, it would end with ‘now go run to
your sign.’ I pretty quickly learned how I needed to act be-
cause of that.
Kind of piggybacking on that story, Butch always
kept me in line and taught me how I needed to act as a foot-
ball player and a man. I credit him for being a part of who
I am today. He taught me true determination and mental
strength, and I think a lot of people were able to see that in
the MFL MarMac game when we came back from behind
in the 4th quarter to go to the Dome.
I will never forget the first time he said he loved me,
and I will never forget his post game speeches, especially
the one after the MarMac game and the one before we ran
out of the garage door at the Dome.
Butch is my family, not just by blood, but because
of the bond we've always had in and outside of the football
program. I will always have his back, just like he will al-
ways have mine, and I love him very much. My teammates
and I fought for everything we received this year, battled
for the goals we wanted to achieve. But, we never could
have done it without Butch teaching us how to do it these
past 4 years. Butch is not the guy that cancer wants to mess
around with because he is going to kick its ass like the
fighter and warrior he is, just like he taught us. You learn
from the best, and Butch is the best.”
- Senior Wyatt Fiderlein, #28
“During a 7th and 8th grade basketball game, Butch
needed to talk to player Ethan Miller. Since there was no
room on the bench, Butch pulled him onto his lap and
talked to him that way. He did this in front of the whole
crowd.
My next funny memory happened during a basket-
ball practice in 7th and 8th grade, and Butch was talking
about expanding the defense, so he put his hands in his
pants and started to expand the waistband of his shorts as
he said, ‘See, you gotta expand the defense.’”
- Sophomore Connor Rios, #7
first thing that pops into my mind when I think of
Butch is his saying, “smash mouth football.” Butch has
taught me a lot of things. Mainly, to be physical. If we look
back to the start of the season, I’d say I was not very phys-
ical. I remember it was the first game of the season, and I
was super nervous. If you were to ask [Aiden] Dingbaum
or anyone else, they’d say I was a nervous wreck. Butch
walks up to me and says, “Michael, do you know how
much of an honor it is to be a freshman on varsity?” I just
nod because I'm so nervous. “I want you to know that if
you go out there thinking you can’t play with them, then
you can’t, It’s that simple,” he said. I nod again. He con-
tinues, “But, I know you won’t do that. You are a great
player, and I believe in you.”
I know now that Butch was saying that to get my
nerves ‘unshaken,’ and it worked. I wouldn’t say I had a
great game that game, but I will always remember my very
first game of varsity football with Butch Pedersen and how
I need to continue to play ‘smash mouth football.’”
- Freshman Michael Montgomery, #77
“Butch was so welcoming when I first got here. He
treated me like he had known me forever, and that made
coming to West Branch feel like the best decision I have
ever made.”
- Junior Quintyn Rocha, #55
“Butch taught me tough times don't last, but tough
people do.”
- Junior Brayden Sexton, #20
“I could always count on Butch to tell me the truth
and be honest. Even if it's to tell me I'm too small.”
- Junior Jacob Swisher, #10
“He taught me to be a great young man. I would just
like to tell him thank you for everything he has taught me.”
- Junior Cale Seydel, #3
“It was fun to see how far we went this year, and I
enjoyed my first time playing in the Dome.”
- Junior Auron Marsh, #11
“The season was very fun, and I really enjoyed hav-
ing Butch as a coach. I love how competitive he is and that
he wants us to all be as tough and as perfect as we can be.”
- Senior Jack McCullough, #13
“Butch taught me how to work hard, and he also
taught me that winning is not everything in life. I would
like to tell him thank you for everything he has done and
that he has had a very big impact on a lot of young kids’
lives.”
- Junior Shae Farmer, #25
“He defined smash mouth football as well as bring-
ing the intensity to every game he coached at. Only God
knows Butch can bench 300.”
- Junior Adam Gomez, #68
“He’s definitely the fire of the team. He’s a leader,
and he always pushes us to be better for everything. He’s
the person everyone looks up to when they need something.
He will get it done, and I think the same goes both ways.
We would do anything he needed.”
- Junior Reese Trepanier, #50
“I thought it was really cool how all year we preach
family, then when life throws a curveball at us, and we find
out Butch has cancer. We were all there for him, supporting
him, and even though he couldn't be with us all the time,
we kept fighting and fighting just like him with his own
battles. We ended up making it to the Dome. Even though
we came out with a loss, we are all still family fighting for
each other. We all are still supporting Butch.”
- Junior Trenton Schutte, #14
“I haven't been around Butch for very long, but he
has taught me a lot. The first time I heard about Butch was
on my 5th birthday when he gave me a worn down Bears
football helmet as a gift. I thought it was so cool and nice
of him. I still have that helmet hung up in my room. I was
also selected to be a ball boy in 2017 for the football team.
It was there that I realized how fast and physical football
was at the high school level.
I also got a taste of Butch’s harsh but effective
coaching style. Butch was my coach for basketball my 8th
grade year. We were pretty successful that season, losing
only two games. He taught me how to be mentally tough,
which will apply to all of the sports I will play in the future.
I also liked his constructive criticism, which wasn't fun to
hear in the moment, but it ended up making me much better
in the long run. He is a big reason why I am active in the
weight room and why I strive to be bigger and faster.
From day one, on August 1, Butch brought the idea
of going to the Dome to the program. He instilled con-
fidence in us but told us to not become entitled. He tells us
that hard work in practice and staying active in the weight
room during the off season is how state championship
teams are built. (Hence his phrase, ‘no entitlement, just
hard work.’)
Butch also contributed to the idea of us being a
family instead of just a football team. So far, we have made
a very good run in the playoffs, but he tells us to never be
satisfied. After he was diagnosed with cancer, he couldn't
attend practices or be on the sideline at games. Game days
are very different without the usual Butch inspirational talk
about playing ‘Smash mouth football.’ I don't think I'll ever
forget when we beat MFL MarMac and Butch congratu-
lated us from the railing of the pressbox in the rain.”
- Freshman Nolan Staker, #33
“My favorite memory from Butch is from my soph-
omore year playing basketball. It was during practice, and
I passed some gas, and Butch says, ‘Who the hell farted?’
I proceeded to raise my hand, and he made me run laps
around the gym barking like a dog during practice.”
- Gavin Hierseman, Class of 2021
“My favorite memory of Butch was during my soph-
omore year of football during playoffs, and he called me
down to the other side of the field to do the ISO drill with
the varsity. He told me, ‘You run like your dad’s a banker.’
To this day, I don’t know what that means, but it was pretty
funny.”
- Jaden Hierseman, Class of 2019
“Butch was very good at motivation and getting us
to be focused and intense when we needed to be, but he
was also good at keeping things lighthearted and having
some fun when we needed that, too. These 2 stories show
that, and those lighthearted moments are our favorite mem-
ories.”
- Jaden & Gavin Hierseman
(See p. 4 for more on Butch Pedersen.)
(See. P. 7 for Donor Drive Info.)