Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2014
A record-setting triple jumper, James Butts won three NCAA titles as a Bruin and went on to win the United States' first Olympic medal in that event in nearly 50 years. Butts made an immediate impact as a freshman, becoming the Pac-8 Conference and school record-holder in the triple jump (54-7 ½) and capturing the Pac-8 title with a wind-aided mark of 54-2 ½. Butts helped lead the Bruin men to two NCAA team titles in 1971 and 1972, placing fourth in the triple jump in 1971 to earn All-America honors and then winning the NCAA title in 1972 with a wind-aided mark of 53-2 ¼. Ranked No. 2 in the world in 1976 and 1978, Butts was a silver medalist in the 1976 Olympic Games, becoming the first U.S. athlete to win a medal in the triple jump since 1928. In 1978, Butts won the U.S. outdoor title and set the U.S. triple jump record with a mark of 56-6 ¾ at the World Championships. As an assistant coach, Butts led Pasadena City College to the 1984 State Junior College Championship.
