A queen of her court: Jill Butler won tennis titles at Placer, became model coach at Del Oro

Jill Butler (Placer Class of 1993) excelled at basketball and tennis in high school. Although basketball was her first love, her ability on the tennis court became her ticket to college and a teaching and coaching career. For her overall athletic skills in high school and her contributions to the sport as a coach, she will be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame on April 30. Butler starred for three years as a starting guard for the Placer girls basketball team, beginning in her sophomore year. "I was a freshman when the girls won the state championship," she said. "But my first year on the varsity we had lost a lot of the star athletes from the title team." Success returned to the Lady Hillmen in Butler's junior and senior years, winning two SFL championships and reaching the section finals. On those squads, she teamed with PHS Hall of Famer Kellie Lewis. Looking back on her basketball career at Placer, Butler said, "I felt blessed to play in the Earl Crabbe Gym. It's a perfect gym." Her talent was rewarded when she was selected to participate in the 1993 Optimist All Star Basketball Game. But tennis was to be the key to her future. As a freshman, Butler teamed up with Brelle Albert playing No. 2 doubles. It was the beginning of a remarkable career in which her teams, coached by the legendary Bill Miller, compiled an 89-2 record, four Sierra Foothill League titles and four section championships. Playing No. 1 singles for her final three years, Butler won the league championship each year and topped her career by capturing the CIF section crown her final two years. She attributes her success to the Placer coaches. "Miller was the most amazing coach ever," Butler said. "He treated us girls like athletes, making us do lots of exercise, do push-ups and run lines. There were lots of tears, but he made us better people." She also attributed her other tennis coaches to her success. "Miller was the stern father figure, Rad McCord was the goofy uncle, and Randy Havens was the private coach who helped me get a college scholarship," Butler said. As a freshman, Butler tried her hand at three sports. For the track team, she earned a spot on the 4x400-meter relay team alongside future Olympic pole vault champion Stacy Dragila. "Stacy was a strong inspiration, a huge role model for me," she said. After graduating from Placer, Butler received a full-ride scholarship to play tennis at Sacramento State, playing first and second singles and first doubles. She found out she was not the top dog anymore. "I was getting clobbered by big-name players," Butler said. "But I was stubborn and trained even harder." The effort paid off when she was recruited to become a member of Southern Utah University's tennis team and received a full scholarship. She played No. 1 singles. "Playing there was an amazing experience," Butler said. "I matured and built up my confidence." After earning her teaching credential at Chico State, she wanted to return to the Hillmen campus to coach and teach, but there were no openings. However, league rival Del Oro had an opening for a tennis coach, and Butler began a 22-year coaching career. Butler has been on the Del Oro teaching staff for 20 years and currently teaches P.E. and serves as the athletic director. Although retired from coaching, she has coached girls and boys tennis, freshman girls basketball, girls golf and track. When coaching tennis, she used the same warm-up routine as at Placer. The Del Oro girls didn't like it at first, but it paid off. In 2012, her team won its first section championship. She has three total. She maintains respect for the Placer program and the commitment of its coaches. Her only disappointment is that she was never able to beat a Rad McCord-coached team. Butler was named a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Model Coach of the 2012-13 school year. The award honors coaches who are positive role models within schools and the community. At Del Oro, she spearheaded the formation of the Women's Athletic Club (WAC) with Jen Isaac 10 years ago. The organization promotes confidence, strength, unity and encouragement through the athletic experience. It's open to all girls with the goal of empowering and preparing them for the future after high school. Butler lives in Auburn and is married to Greg Brening, a Del Oro grad and tennis player. Butler says she beats him every time. She also has a daughter, Jacy, who attends college in Rome at John Cabot University. Butler coached her daughter, a 2019 Del Oro graduate, in tennis, where Jacy played singles the year the team won SFL and section titles. Placer still has a fond place in her heart. "Del Oro is a great place, but I'll never forget Placer," Butler admitted. The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in the Placer High School Auditorium on April 30. A pre-ceremony reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7. Tickets for the reception cost $25 until April 15 and $35 after, and are available online at placerathletichof.bpt.me. The 7 p.m. ceremony is free of charge to the public.