HUTCHINSON, Kan. — They came in a sea of red to pay tribute to one of Hutchinson Community College’s most respected supporter and coach.

Services were held Friday afternoon for Sam Butterfield who died this week at the age of 96. Butterfield was both a coach and athletic director at HCC, and was a fixture at the college even after he departed as an employee. His love for athletics, his family, and all HCC sports certainly endeared him to many. And he was always there to make a new friend or support the many he already had.

Butterfield is already remembered with his name adorning the basketball floor and his son Steve Butterfield took time to announce that his family’s name will continue to  live on at HCC with the basketball scholarship in his parents honor.

Steve also took time to remember his childhood when he and his brother Scott would run from Graber Elementary School as fast as they could after class so they could get to basketball practice. He also talked about how much his father cherished the support of other coaches, the school and the community over the his final few years.

Friday’s service was officiated by Rev. Mark Miller and included the singing of the Lord’s prayer by Robert Calhoun and the playing of taps and an honor guard for Sam’s service in World War II. Two folded flags were presented to Butterfield’s sons and family. The arena was decorated with the red that Sam made so famous by introducing it to his basketball team and eventually the whole school.