Butler Community College Women's Basketball

Helmer has led the Grizzlies to an overall record of 150-77 that includes an average of 22 wins a year over the last seven seasons and an average of 28 wins per season over the past 3 years. The 2014-2015 was another successful season for the Grizzlies. For the seventh straight year under Coach Helmer, the Grizzlies reached the Region VI playoffs and for the Fifth year in a row advanced to at least the second round to compete at Wichita State. The Grizzlies finished with a record of 24-7 and a second place finish in the Jayhawk Western Conference.  Ashley Gibson also became the second NJCAA All-American in as many years under Helmer and the second in the history of the program. Katie Palmer, Kynadi Johnson were also named to the All Conference teams. Another team highlight was beating Seward at Seward which broke a 19 year streak. The 2013-14 season was a record-breaking year for Butler. The team broke nearly every single-season school record on their way to Butler's first ever appearance in the NJCAA women's national tournament. The Grizzlies went 34-3, including an undefeated 12-0 record in conference play. The conference title was the first for Butler since 1995. Along the way, Butler won 30 straight games. The Grizzlies finished sixth in the final national rankings and reached the "Elite 8" in the national tournament. Helmer also coached Butler's first women's basketball All-American in Te'era Williams. Helmer himself was honored for Butler's remarkable run, earning Jayhawk East Conference Coach of the Year honor. For his efforts, Helmer was also named the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) Women's Junior College Coach of the Year. In addition to the basketball honors and accolades, the Grizzlies posted a team GPA of 3.30. The Grizzlies sent seven players on to four-year programs - three to NCAA Division I, two to NCAA Division II and one each to NCAA Division III and NAIA. While the 2013-14 season was the best in school history, Helmer spent years laying the foundation for such success. In the past six years, the Grizzlies have defeated 12 ranked opponents, including a 23-point drubbing of on the road at Iowa Western two Years ago and this past season beating Seward at Seward which Broke a 19 year streak. Other top 25 wins came against Cowley (2014 twice), State Fair (2013), Garden City Community College (2013), Redlands (2012), Iowa Western (2011), Hutchinson (2011), Independence (2009), Cloud County (2010) and Kansas City, Kansas (2011). Under Helmers guidance, the Grizzlies have gone 44-3 within the friendly confines of their home arena, the Power Plant, over the last three seasons. In seven seasons, Helmer's teams have also posted an average team GPA of a 3.21. The totals of what Helmer has accomplished at Butler are staggering. He has coached 15 all conference players, 10 all-region performers, a host of academic all-Americans and 5 all-American candidates, including Butlers only two NJCAA All American. Helmer has helped eleven players get to NCAA Division I and 13 to the NCAA Division II level. In Addition, Helmer also helped groom Butlers first 3 NJCAA Coaches Association All-Stars in Jamillah Bonner (2012), Ashlee Ivy (2013) and Ashley Gibson (2014). Just as important, Helmer has become a front-runner on the recruiting trail, as evidenced by his success with his in-state recruiting classes. The native Kansan, Helmer prides himself on getting the best players in the state and helping them transfer on to the next level. Helmer is able to maximize each and every student-athletes contribution to the team through his uncanny ability to encourage and motivate. Examples of such ability are found in two players- Tysia Manuel and Renisha Hunter who went from virtual unknowns to signing NCAA Division I scholarships (Hunter in 2009 to Nicholls State University and Manuel in 2013 to Oral Roberts University) on the merit of hard work and dedication. Helmer began his coaching career at Wichita South High School leading them to unprecedented heights including a 6A runner-up finish. During his tenure at South High, Helmer coached Christine Elliott, who signed with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. While at SMU, Elliott became a member of the 1,000 point club and amassed over 900 rebounds for her career. Helmer also mentored Megan Lassley, who signed with Seward County out of high school and then went on to play at NCAA Division II powerhouse Washburn University. Before Helmer began his high school coaching career, he spent eight years managing a personal training facility in Lawrence, Kansas. After a stellar high school career at Marion High School, Helmer played collegiate hoops at Pratt Community College and then at Kansas Wesleyan University. Helmer is married to the former Kristina Anderson, and the couple resides in El Dorado with their children Anderson (7) and Carson (4).

Fawcett is now in her fourth season as an assistant coach with the program. In addition to her recruiting duties, Fawcett is in charge of day-to-day operations and oversees perimeter play. The 2014-15 Grizzly squad finished the season 24-7, ranking as high as No. 9 in the country. Butler finished second in the Jayhawks West Conference and Sophomore Ashley Gibson was named Honorable Mention All-American, just the second All-American in program history.   The 2013-14 season was a record breaking year in almost every phase of the Grizzly program as Butler finished 34-3, capturing the 2014 Jayhawk East Conference Championship in undefeated fashion (12-0), making the programs first ever trip to the NJCAA National Tournament and advancing to the Elite 8 with a final national ranking of No. 6. The 2014-15 season also saw the Grizzlies produce the first-ever NJCAA All-American in Teera Williams. In addition, three Grizzlies received All-Conference honors. The off-the-court production was equally as impressive as the Grizzlies posted a 3.4 team GPA. In her first season after making the transition from All-American to collegiate coach, 2012-2013 season proved to be a great start for Fawcett in her coaching career. The Grizzlies finished the season at 26-7 and broke a number of team and individual school records. The Grizzlies went 12-4 in the rugged Jayhawk West and went 15-1 at home inside the Power Plant. Two players off that team were named All-Jayhawk West Conference and All-Region VI as well as having three players named to the Region VI All-Tournament team. Fawcett is 84-17 (83%) overall as an assistant coach. She added a conference championship and mentored two All-Americans to her list of accomplishments. Fawcett has helped groom NJCAA Coaches Association All Stars in Ashlee Ivy and Ashley Gibson and has coached seven all-conference players, five all-region team members, six all-region tournament team selections and two distinguished Academic All-Americans.   Abbys work ethic and character are two things that separated her as a player and will helper her climb the ladder in the coaching profession, said Head coach Mike Helmer. Coach Fawcett is another example of how family orientated we are here by coming back here to begin her coaching career. She loves this program and will be a great asset to us moving forward. Fawcett graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Communication in 2013. Prior to coming to back to Butler, Fawcett finished her playing career at Friends University where she led her team to the NAIA national tournament and the sweet 16 for the first time in school history. Fawcett also ended her career at Friends University as an All-American. Prior to Friends University, Fawcett began her collegiate playing career at Butler Community College where she graduated and enjoyed much success both on and off the court. When Fawcett ended her career at Butler, she amassed 991 points (second all-time) and 175 steals (second all-time) and holds school records in charges drawn (38) and free-throw percentage (80.5). For her efforts, Fawcett was a two-time All-Jayhawk West and All-Region VI selection(2010  and 2011), was invited to the NJCAA Top 40 All-Star event in 2010, and was named to the Academic All-Conference Team (2010-2011).