Ken LaRose: Faith, Family, and Football
Episode 49, Sep 24, 09:00 AM
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Former Butler player, head coach, and longtime administrator Ken LaRose reflects on the three pillars that shaped his life: faith, family, and football. He shares tender memories of growing up in Cincinnati, the impact of his parents and siblings—especially his deaf brother Michael who taught him eye contact and empathy—and the coaches who became second fathers (Gerry Faust, Bill Sylvester).
Ken recounts choosing Butler, captaining the team, and returning to coach—eventually becoming head coach during the turbulent transition to non-scholarship Division I. He tells the story behind Butler’s 1996 game in Cologne, Germany, and later, his pivot into development, helping raise $65M+ for facilities and programs under AD Barry Collier.
Woven throughout are Ken’s life rules: appreciate what you have, start each day with an attitude of gratitude, and life is 10% what happens, 90% how you react. The result is a portrait of a welcoming, genuine servant-leader who loves helping people—and who proudly answers to Dad, Pops, Coach, and “Butler guy.”
Ken recounts choosing Butler, captaining the team, and returning to coach—eventually becoming head coach during the turbulent transition to non-scholarship Division I. He tells the story behind Butler’s 1996 game in Cologne, Germany, and later, his pivot into development, helping raise $65M+ for facilities and programs under AD Barry Collier.
Woven throughout are Ken’s life rules: appreciate what you have, start each day with an attitude of gratitude, and life is 10% what happens, 90% how you react. The result is a portrait of a welcoming, genuine servant-leader who loves helping people—and who proudly answers to Dad, Pops, Coach, and “Butler guy.”