American International College

Henry Butova, a native of Norwich, Conn., came to AIC in 1939 as an undergraduate but left from 1942 to 1945 to serve in World War II in the Naval Air Corps. A football and baseball standout, serving as team captain on the gridiron, Butova graduated from the College in 1947 and soon thereafter was named Director of Athletics at his alma mater. He served as the football coach in 1948 and again from 1952-55, baseball coach from 1947-64 and basketball coach in 1948-49.

Butova served as Director of Athletics until his untimely death in 1965 at the age of 46. During his tenure he oversaw the planning and construction of the College’s gymnasium, which ultimately bore his name, as well as the athletic fields on the Edgewood Gardens campus. He finished his 18-year stint as baseball coach as the winningest coach in school history, with his 175 victories a mark that still stands today.