Hofstra University Athletics

Rocky Butler was a quarterback on the Hofstra Football team from 1997 through 2001 and was a two-year starter. He holds the program record for most touchdown passes in a season with 30 in 2001 and his 3,311 passing yards that season is the second-highest single season total in school history.
 
As a senior in 2001 Butler was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the top player in FCS (then I-AA) football. Butler was a first team All-America selection that season and was also named the I-AA Independent Offensive Player of the Year. He was also the I-AA Independent Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 after throwing for 2,341 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 439 yards and 11 scores.
 
He finished his career with 5,844 yards (fourth all-time) and 54 touchdown passes (second all-time). In addition, he rushed for 966 career yards and his 6,810 yards of total offense ranks third on Hofstra’s career list. He was part of four NCAA Playoff teams during his career, including twice as the starting quarterback. Butler, who posted a 16-5 record as the starting quarterback, also served as team captain in 2000.
 
After graduating from Hofstra, Butler embarked on a six-year career in the Canadian Football League and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Toronto Argonauts. In his professional debut in 2002, Butler threw for 165 yards and rushed for 66 yards and three scores in a Roughriders win over Winnipeg. For his efforts Butler was named the CFL Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Butler returned to Hofstra following the conclusion of his playing career and earned his master’s degree in physical education in 2010. He currently is a physical education teacher and coach in the Long Beach (NY) School District. He currently serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Long Beach football team and is also the head coach of the boys indoor track team.
 
Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Butler currently resides in Freeport, New York, with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Averie.