NIU welcomed Robin Butler to the Huskie track and field staff as its horizontal jumps, hurdles and combined events coach, as well as recruiting coordinator, in 2024-25.
Butler joins the Huskies following four years at Southern Utah, where he oversaw hurdles, pole vault and combined events, while assisting with sprints and relays and briefly serving as director of throwing events. During his time with the Thunderbirds, Butler oversaw the revitalization of the Southern Utah pole vault squad, going from no pole vaulters in 2020 to 12 heading into the fall of 2024. Southern Utah’s indoor and outdoor women’s pole vault records were reset during his tenure, along with half of the program’s top-10 list, while on the men’s side, the program had its best performance in more than 10 years, third-best in school history.
Butler’s influence extended throughout the sprints and jumps as there were over 130 revisions to the Southern Utah top-10 lists, 20 individual school records holders, a 2024 WAC Indoor Track and Field team championship and numerous other accomplishments.
Prior to his time at Southern Utah, Butler assisted with sprints and coached high jump, pole vault and cross county at Greenway-Nashwauk/Keewatin High School in Coleraine, Minn.
Butler competed collegiately at Western Colorado, where he began as a decathlete before moving to the 800 meters in 2013. He concluded his collegiate career as a five-time Division II All-American, including twice in the 800 meters, as well as a four-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion, a 2014 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships qualifier in the 800 meters and achieved a personal best time of 1:48.50 in the 800 meters. He holds the Western Colorado Field House record in the 800 meters of 1:52.24, a track that is 7,719 feet above sea level, the highest elevation for a collegiate indoor track.
Butler continues to train in the 800 meters and 400-meter hurdles while enjoying time with his wife, Linnea, and son, August.
