Born: 1980
EXCERPT: Tonya Lynn Butler made history as the first woman to score a field goal in a college football game. Starting her journey in high school, she showcased her skills as a placekicker for Riverdale High School. She continued her impressive career in college and eventually joined the University of West Alabama Tigers, where she scored a 27-yard field goal in the opening game of the 2003 season. Butler’s groundbreaking accomplishment shattered barriers and inspired future generations of female athletes.
Biography:
Tonya Lynn Butler (born October 20, 1980) is an American athlete who made history as the first woman ever to score a field goal in a college football game. This groundbreaking achievement took place on September 13, 2003, during her tenure as a placekicker for the University of West Alabama Tigers, competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II.
Butler’s journey began during her high school years in Fayetteville, Georgia, where she showcased her skills as a placekicker for Riverdale High School. In her sophomore year, she secured the starting kicking job, having previously served as the junior varsity kicker. Her exceptional performance included converting seven of eight field goal attempts and 28 of 31 extra points, earning her a spot on the all-area team for Clayton and Henry Counties and an honorable mention for the Class AAA all-state team, as chosen by the Georgia Sportswriters Association.
Continuing her impressive career, Butler converted five of ten field goal attempts and 20 of 23 extra points in her junior year. By her senior year, she had honed her skills even further, making seven of thirteen field goals and an outstanding 64 of 65 extra points. With a total of 165 points scored, she secured second place on the all-time points scoreboard at Riverdale. Recognizing her remarkable contributions, Butler became the first female ever selected to the 1998 Class AAA all-state football team by the Georgia Sportswriters Association. In addition to her football accomplishments, she also excelled in soccer during her high school years.
Butler’s exceptional performance in high school garnered her interest from numerous colleges. Ultimately, in January 1999, she announced her decision to play college football at Middle Georgia College under the tutelage of head coach Randy Pippin. Signing a national letter of intent in February 1999, she became the first female to earn a football scholarship at a state school. During her two years at Middle Georgia, Butler demonstrated her skills by converting 36 of 42 extra point attempts and scoring a single field goal for the Warriors.
After completing her associates degree at Middle Georgia, Butler sought to continue her football career at a higher level. Despite her undeniable talent, she did not receive any scholarship offers from other schools to compete as a placekicker. Undeterred, she ultimately enrolled at Georgia Southern, where she graduated in 2003.
It was at this point in her journey that former Georgia College head coach Randy Pippin, now serving as the head coach at West Alabama, recognized Butler’s immense potential and offered her a scholarship to join his team as a placekicker. Accepting this opportunity, she enrolled as a graduate student at West Alabama and secured the starting placekicker position for the Tigers’ 2003 season.
On September 13, 2003, in the opening game of the season, Butler made history when she successfully scored a 27-yard field goal attempt against Stillman. With 9 minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter, she forever etched her name in the rich tapestry of college football.
Tonya Butler’s groundbreaking accomplishment paved the way for future generations of female athletes. Her determination, skill, and passion for the game shattered barriers and inspired countless individuals to dare to dream beyond societal boundaries. To this day, Butler’s name stands as a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and the power of chasing one’s dreams.