A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
Solomon 'Sol' Butler
An Unsung Multi-Talented Athlete and Olympian
By Kevin Scott, Grand Historian
Sol was a 12-letter winner at Dubuque Seminary (now known as Dubuque Uni- versity) in Iowa, and a pioneer in profes- sional football, playing as a quarterback and was team captain. He earned letters in track, football, baseball, and basket- ball over his years at Dubuque before graduating in 1920 and competed in the Olympics. For ten years, he reigned as the number one broad jumper of the world, holding titles from 1912 through 1923. Playing in dual sports, his efforts in track and field, dur- ing his sophomore year, contributed significantly to his school placing as a runner-up finish at the state meet by setting state records in the 100-yard dash. During his junior year, he won six firsts at a district meet, broke five meet records, and unofficially broke a world record in the 50-yard dash. He, along with his older brother, trans- ferred to Rock Island High School (Illinois) for his senior season in 1914. Sol faced 300 of the best track stars of the Midwest, from 37 schools, where he competed in the regional interscholastic meet held at Northwestern University. He placed in the 60-yard dash and hurdles, the 440-yard dash and the broad jump. He broke one meet record, tied a world record, won fourth place overall - competing against entire track teams. Sol was ranked #2 in the world against all levels in the long jump. Upon graduation, Sol matriculated to the University of Dubuque from 1915-1919, where he expanded his athletic prowess to a wider variety of sporting events. In basketball, Butler was a center. He was available for temporary duty in baseball when his track activities per- mitted. During this timeframe, Sol won a dozen varsity letters in football, basketball and track and field. He set
W hen one looks at the variety of sporting events today; it is hard to imagine a time when Blacks weren’t allowed to participate in these competitive events. Despite these practices of discrimination, each generation had a few Black iconic athletes who revolutionized their sport. Very few mastered a variety of sports – Solomon ‘Sol’ Wellings Butler was such a trailblazer. Sol was a 12-letter winner at Dubuque Seminary (now known as Dubuque University) in Iowa, and a pioneer in professional football, playing as a quarterback and was team captain. He earned letters in track, football, baseball, and basketball over his years at Dubuque before graduating in 1920 and competed in the Olympics. For ten years, he reigned as the number one broad jumper of the world, holding titles from 1912 through 1923. Sol was a native of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, born March 3, 1895, the youngest child of Ben and Mary Butler. His father was born a slave in 1842. After escaping slavery, the Butler family moved to Wichita, Kansas, later settling in Hutchinson just before he entered high school in 1909. Sol started at the halfback position on Hutchinson High School’s varsity football team during his freshman year.
116 | SPRING 2020 ♦ THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker