Unless you read it, you won’t be able to understand or appreciate all that Lawrence Butts has been through and where he came from, on his trek out of Alabama and on to Greensboro, North Carolina…..
Greensboro College Men’s Basketball Player Turns to Basketball in Wake of
Devastation
(GREENSBORO, N.C.) — “You deliver me – Psalm 91” can be found tattooed
across the chest of freshman Greensboro College men’s basketball
player, Lawrence Butts. For Butts, it is more than a scripture; it
provides meaning to life and reminds him daily of his remarkable journey
that has landed him at Greensboro College. On April 27, 2011, a
three-quarter mile wide E-F5 tornado ripped its way through his hometown of
Phil Campbell, AL, flattening everything in its path. It is a memory that
remains fresh in the mind of Butts. It has made him stronger as a person
and has taught him to never to take anything for granted; because one day,
it could all be gone.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, began as any other day for Butts. A student
at the University of North Alabama, he left the Florence campus and
embarked on a 45 minute drive south on US Highway 43, heading home to Phil
Campbell, AL. It was raining, and unbeknownst to Butts, a storm that was
about to change his life was forming in the dark sky above.
Typical of any small, rural town, Phil Campbell High School was the pride
and joy of the 1,300 residents that called Phil Campbell, AL, home.
Located just under two hours from Tuscaloosa, AL, and Birmingham, AL, local
features included a Piggly Wiggly grocery store, H&R Block and Dollar
General. While football was king in the state of Alabama, basketball
garnered arguably the most success and recognition – along with baseball –
for the Phil Campbell High School Bobcats.
At 6-2, 175 pounds, Butts was the star player on the basketball team. As a
senior, he averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game,
while leading his squad to a 16-12 record and an appearance in the Alabama
High School Class 2-A state playoffs. For his efforts, Butts was
recognized on the All-Area Team for the second year and was named the Most
Valuable Player of his team.
His performance on the court drew the attention of college scouts. Despite
receiving numerous scholarship offers, Butts decided to stay close to home,
walking on at the University of North Alabama, a powerhouse Division II
program, just 45 minutes north of his hometown. He redshirted as a
freshman, watching from the sideline as the Lions put together a
disappointing 13-16 campaign, finishing fourth in the East Division of the
Gulf South Conference. Seeking a change, Butts decided to transfer at the
conclusion of the season. It was a decision that brought him home to Phil
Campbell on that fateful day.
Without the structure of offseason workouts and conditioning, Butts had
more free time than usual, and the visits home became more frequent. After
finishing up his classes on Wednesday, April 27, he packed up his car and
made the short trip to Phil Campbell. Upon arriving home, Butts laid down
for an afternoon nap, not worried about the storm brewing outside.
It was around 3:30 p.m. that he was waken by the screaming voice of his
mother. Sensing the urgency in her voice, Butts knew immediately that
something was wrong. As Butts jumped out of bed, the power in his house
shut-off. As the wind and rain intensified outside, his mother and two
younger brothers raced to the center of the three-bed, two bath house. His
mother threw blankets on top of the boys and closed all the doors. As the
family hunkered down, Butts placed his arms over his brothers to shield
them from the danger ahead. He looked up just in time to see the roof fly
off the house and debris swirling everywhere. A few minutes later, his
life would change forever.
When the storm cleared, all that was left of the house was the center
room the family was using for protection. Gravel and debris left cuts and
scratches all over his body. Butts tore his abdominal wall, which would
require surgery, while his mother was hit on the head with a board.
Despite the bumps and bruises, the family knew they were fortunate to be
alive.
“I cannot even put my initial reaction into words,” said Butts. “I did not
know what to make of the situation. It was survival mode.”
The extent of the damage forced Butts to clear a path for his family to
exit the rubble where their house once stood. Everything around them had
been flattened; trees gone and houses wiped off of the foundations. Butts’
father, a local pastor, met the family after waiting out the storm in a
nearby ditch on his way home from the church.
Together, the family began their trek into town. Because of downed
telephone and electrical wires, they had to use the railroad tracks running
parallel to the highway outside their home. The family walked to the
closest storm shelter, a First Baptist Church that was taking in survivors.
When the damage was assessed, 60% of the town had been destroyed and 26
people had died, many of whom were family friends. The tornado was part of
a violent four day outbreak; the largest ever recorded, across the
Southern, Midwestern and Northeastern regions of the United States. In
total, 359 tornados were confirmed by the National Weather Service, with
Alabama taking the brunt of the blow. The death toll included 322
tornado-related deaths and 346 total deaths as a result of the storms.
Alabama alone had 239 deaths confirmed by the SPC and the state’s Emergency
Management Agency.
For the next month and a half, the family lived out of a hotel. Butts
finished out the semester at North Alabama, where his brothers often joined
him in the months following the storm. It was a slow and frustrating
process, dealing with insurance and looking for a place to live. Finally,
the family found a house to rent 15 minutes down the road in Russellvile,
AL.
The family continues to evaluate their permanent living options, which
includes the possibility of moving to North Carolina, where many members of
his extended family reside already. Family, as well as the kindness and
generosity of a coach, led him to Greensboro College.
Proximity of family in the Greensboro area had sparked interest in The
Pride basketball program before the storm even hit. However, one of the
first coaches to reach out to Butts in the aftermath was Greensboro College
head basketball coach Bryan Galuski.
“Coach (Galuski) welcomed me to Greensboro with open arms,” Butts
commented. “He has done more for me then he probably realizes. He has
given me an opportunity to make things normal, for which I am extremely
grateful.”
Butts had the option to take a medical redshirt, while recovering from his
surgery, but decided it was in the best interest of himself and his family
to play. At the midway point of the season, he has played in a limited
role in five games. After his experience eight short months ago, just
being able to step on the floor is more than he could ever ask for.
Wiith his family now living in Russellville, and his brother becoming a
budding football star at a nearby high school, Butts’ visits to his
hometown are limited. On his most recent visit in October, he witnessed a
rebuilding town that continues to remain dark at night. While Phil
Campbell will never be the same again, Butts is confident the town will
comeback.
“The town really rallied together in the days and months following the
storm,” said Butts. “The generosity and thoughtfulness of others has
helped as well and is greatly appreciated.”
He attributes his strength during this difficult time to his faith and says
that April 27, 2011, will forever be engrained in his memory.
“Everything is still fresh in my head,” Butts added. “I was just happy I
could be there for my family. It is definitely a day that I will never
forget.”