The most feared man in the history of football was welcomed to Campbellsville University with open arms April 16-17. College and Pro Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus was the keynote speaker at a dinner/auction event in the Winters Dining Hall Friday, April 16 that raised $3,250 for the More Than a Game campaign to bring lights and synthetic turf to CU athletic facilities.

Student-athletes helped work as servers for the dinner, as the more than 180 in attendance watched the 1985 short documentary on Butkus made by NFL Films Presents.

After seeing the film and taking the podium, Butkus grasped his right left shoulder and grimaced as he made a joke of his arthritis flare-up in the arm coming from all of the close lines he threw in the film.

His speech was not one of a motivational speaker who speaks to thousands upon thousands each year, but more of a quarterback club question and answer session about his career and the NFL today. Through his story telling, the message of goal setting and hard work came out as the theme.

"It's no accident (of how I played). They can say all they want about my ability or physique, but they weren't with me in high school when everyone was out chasing girls and going to movies. I was in the park, running in the dark, dodging trees. Weird, right? You learn not to do that when you hit enough trees," Butkus said as the crowd broke into laughter. "Nobody ran in straight lines, so I learned to make up things to get better."

Mixed throughout his comments was praise for the efforts being made by Campbellsville University to do more than what is just necessary.

"I think you guys are doing a pretty good job up here at the university," said Butkus, who dined with CU President Dr. Michael V. Carter. "The president filled me in on what you guys are doing, and, with all the facilities going on, you've got something to be proud of. It's starting to show that the players are worthy of it, because they're starting to win and get better. The more you win, the better the kids, the better the school and everything else. You can be proud of a real nice place here …. All of the growth here is amazing because these times are tough."

Butkus also praised Campbellsville for having "outstanding athletes with high academic standards" and running the athletic program "the right way."

Following the 50 minute Q&A, Carter took the podium to thank Butkus for coming and to present him with the Campbellsville University Leadership Award, which read "In recognition of his extraordinary career in professional football and his dedicated service to humanity."

"Dick, we especially appreciate you for coming and being your genuine self here with us tonight, and certainly there are some great characteristics of honesty, being true to oneself and hard work that you've stood for," Carter said.

He then thanked those who were in attendance, including several CU trustees, Campbellsville and Taylor County government leaders, Tiger athletic boosters and Chicago Bears fans.

"More Than a Game isn't just about turf and lights," Carter said. "It's about changing young people so they can be true to themselves, be individuals of character and that the Champions of Character platform can be lived out here on this campus as the NAIA is promoting it across this country."

"Your presence here tonight is helping to make some resources available so we can be successful," Carter said.

Butkus came to CU at the invitation of his friend and one of the Butkus Award founders, Steve Finley, who is vice president of Enterprise Electric in Nashville, Tenn. Finley, the nephew of CU football's patriarch the late Ron Finley, also helped bring country music legend Vince Gill to campus for a benefit concert in March that raised $40,000 toward the campaign. Finley was also awarded the CU Leadership Award on Friday.

To learn more about the $1.2 million More Than a Game campaign or for photos of the facility upgrades and fundraisers, click here.

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