Nik Rule: First of all, where are you from?
Rachael Butler: Orange County, California and the city I live in is Anaheim.
NR: Do you have any siblings?
RB: There are six of us, two are younger than me and three are older.
NR: Any sibling rivalries?
RB: Oh yeah, back when we were younger definitely. I used to go out with second oldest brother all the time and me and my sister were always attached at the hip. But since those three have moved out, and I went to a JUCO near home, the younger three got really close. So it ended up being kind of the younger three versus the older three.
NR: Did you have some serious 3 on 3 games?
RB: Well we always played knock out and got my parents out there and all that… But I don’t want to say that we competed that much against each other, but if one of us made a nice shot we would remind each other.
NR: You mentioned your family, who are always emailing and listening to the games we broadcast which I enjoy, but did ever get advice from them that helped you athletically?
RB: I was homeschooled, so I am very close with my family and hold them in the highest regard. Anything my parents tell me I always look back and think oh my gosh, I got to do. I know at the time it is different (when you’re younger), but they have always been there for me and have helped me through everything. They would do anything for all six of us, they would bend over backwards and any time we got into trouble they were fair with consequences and were always there to help… But overall there wasn’t anything specific that they told me but emphasized God first. My dad always told me “BBB,” which stands for Bible, books, basketball.
NR: Did any of your other siblings end up playing college sports?
RB: My sister ended up playing college basketball for Vanguard in Costa Mesa, which is an NAIA school. Then she went to Bethany in Santa Cruz. My brother was also a good baseball player.
NR: So in high school was basketball always your favorite and best sport?
RB: I started with basketball, but then went into track and fell in love with that. After a while I kind of got bored doing just those two, so then I did volleyball and swimming and soccer.
NR: Which one did you enjoy most?
RB: I loved swimming, I think it was just because I did it with my best friends but wasn’t the best at it… Which is maybe why I enjoyed it the most.
NR: Let’s talk about William Penn and your season. This is your first year with Coach Speilbauer because you came from a Junior College. What is the biggest difference between Junior College and NAIA basketball?
RB: William Penn has definitely changed my views on University ball, because watching people growing up I always thought it was intense NCAA stuff. Now that I am here I think that my JUCO players had something to prove and had more raw talent. Yet, at a four year school the recruiting is more strategic… It’s not just getting the best players but players that can do a lot of different things… Like recruiting a shooter and expecting them to become great at that talent. So it’s different and I think JUCO ball is more let’s pick up and go… This is fun it’s just different systems.
NR: We have talked about the past at William Penn and the success the Lady Statesmen had in the 80’s and the struggles of the 90’s and 2000’s. This year you have really turned it around, a winning record, how do you guys feel about that and what are your expectations for the future?
RB: I think it’s great. I don’t go off the past too much and it was a little discouraging at the start to always here oh we have to be better over and over. Looking at being better than the past rather than just being good. I am really glad for Coach Speilbauer because obviously a season like this means a lot to him especially after the struggles in past years. It has been great because the attitude has been different and I am happy and glad that I am a part of it and hope it continues to get better.
NR: Do you guys think it’s setting the bar to low in just having a winning season?
RB: I definitely do, definitely.
NR: So just winning isn’t enough, then what is the goal or mindset within the team?
RB: For those of us that will be coming back next year it would be to build the program for the future. Just continuing to improve and not being satisfied with just a winning season, not that we are now.
NR: I know you have a game tomorrow, but if you had to put together won goal for next year what would it be?
RB: Continued team unity and playing every game like it is our last, whether it is preseason or postseason.
NR: Okay you got a game tomorrow against St. Ambrose, a team that has beat you twice this season. It is tough for a team to win three games against an opponent in a season, so what are you girls thinking for tomorrow?
RB: Exactly that. There has to be pressure on them which takes the pressure off us… Coach has got a whole game plan for us so we’re confident that will work very well for us. I just think we need to go hard, we have played with them for half the game we just got to relax and we will be okay.
NR: Being a college athlete, what are your top priorities?
RB: Well school, I am here for school. I am not all about basketball; I won’t pick that over class. I like to study, I enjoy my classes but I want to get my degree and I want to finish strong with my sports.
NR: What are your plans for the future?
RB: Well I am a PR major, but I want to do a lot of things job wise. I want to be an event coordinator, I kind of wanted to be an athletic trainer and today I had an epiphany to be a nurse. So I don’t know I like helping people, but I want to have a family, a house, and not struggle with money.
NR: If you’re having trouble in a class, who on your team do you turn to for help?
RB: Sam (Samantha Darly), my roommate.
NR: If you have boyfriend problems, who do you go to?
RB: Carleigh (Hobson).
NR: Someone in the locker room that you know will cheer you up without even trying?
RB: Definitely, Jacelynn (Smith) or Shalimar (Davis).
NR: You’re down by 2 with seven seconds to play. Who do you want to have the ball for that final shot?
RB: Recently, it would be Nancy because of that drive she took to send it into overtime against Mount Mercy and I feel like if she had the ball with her she could create something for someone else.
NR: Now this is our rapid fire round, so to start things off Lebron or Kobe?
RB: Uhm, Kobe and it’s not because I like the Lakers because I don’t.
NR: Favorite NBA team?
RB: I don’t know. Hmm, well I just don’t like they hype so I don’t like the Lakers just too much hype. Everything is put on Kobe and he’s an awesome player but I don’t like that everything is put on one person.
NR: NBA or NCAA?
RB: Definitely NCAA!
NR: Winter or summer Olympics?
RB: Summer because of swimming. I like Phelps, Natalie Coughlin, and Dana Torres.
NR: Megan Fox or Angelina Jolie as an actress?
RB: Angelina Jolie
NR: Brad Pitt or Channing Tatum?
RB: Channing Tatum because I just saw “Dear John.” That is the only reason why I just said that.
NR: Lost or American Idol?
RB: I am going to say Lost, I know you were just talking about it in class but my sister and I sat on the couch one week in the summer and just watched Lost. So good memories with Lost!
NR: Your boyfriend or your dog?
RB: Well my little sister has a dog and my boyfriend has a dog but you’re putting me on the spot! I am going to say boyfriend, but ask me in a week and I would probably say dog (Laughing).
NR: You’re from Anaheim, home of Disneyland, so Universal Studios or Disneyland?
RB: Disneyland, it’s like 15 minutes from my house.
NR: Dodgers or Angles?
RB: Dodgers even though the Angles are right next door.
NR: Back to your team real quick. Who is the prankster on the team?
RB: Jacelynn and Shalimar.
NR: Who is most likely to have ten kids?
RB: Oh gosh. Tricia, she juggles a lot of stuff and I think she could do it.
NR: Who is most likely to become a great basketball coach?
RB: Sam Darley.
NR: Most likely to play some type of professional basketball?
RB: Professional basketball huh… Shoot I don’t know… I know Nancy is probably going to play professional soccer.
NR: Not that this is a bad thing at all, because I love Oskaloosa, but who is most likely to live in Oskaloosa the rest of their lives?
RB: Hmm, I am trying to think of someone who is from an area really close to here. Maybe, Christa (Subbert).
NR: Who is most likely to be a college student for the rest of their lives?
RB: For the rest of their life, but Raven House because she has changed to nursing so she is going to be in school forever.
NR: Well Rachael it has been a pleasure, thank you for sitting down with me today and I will give you the last word.
RB: Shout out to the family and I just want to tell you thank you. I feel like this brings athletics as a fun thing and I appreciate the work you do… But just can’t wait to play tomorrow.
NR: I will see you there tomorrow.
RB: I think we got a little edge on them.
NR: Well you and I got a class together in three minutes, so I will see you in three minutes.
RB: (Laughing) Yes, class, I think we’re going to be a little late. Thanks everyone for your support!
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