Comprised of two national runner-up teams, one of the most decorated coaches in Butler history and four standout student-athletes, the university has selected the 2021 class of the Butler Athletics Hall of Fame. The announcement was made Thursday, May 13.
 
The Class of 2021 includes the 2009-10 and 2010-11 men's basketball teams, former men's basketball coach Brad Stevens, Jackie (Closser) Novinger (2003-07, women's basketball), Ryan Harber (1996-98, baseball), Mike Regan (1997-2000, men's lacrosse), and the late Andy Boa, a 1938 graduate who excelled at three sports during his time at Butler.

"Our 2021 Hall of Fame class includes tremendous representatives of The Butler Way and we continue to celebrate their many accomplishments," said Barry Collier, Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics. "These two men's basketball teams raised the profile of our university on a national level and their impact is still evident throughout our campus and community today. Our entire Class of 2021 is comprised of dedicated individuals who left a lasting mark on Butler Athletics during their time on campus and we look forward to celebrating each of them during the induction ceremony in September."
 
This year's Hall of Fame class, in addition to the 2020 class that did not have an induction ceremony last year due to COVID-19, will be recognized at a ceremony on campus Thursday, Sept. 9.
 
The 2009-10 men's basketball team was the first Final Four team in program history. The Bulldogs won a school-record 33 games (33-5), which included a program-best 25-game winning streak. The team advanced to the national championship game in Indianapolis, following an undefeated Horizon League regular season and Horizon League Tournament title. Coached by Stevens, the roster included Horizon League Player of the Year Gordon Hayward, along with All-Horizon League players Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack.
 
The following season, the Bulldogs went on another run to the national championship game, completing one of the most notable back-to-back performances in college basketball history. The 2010-11 Bulldogs posted a record of 28-10, winning the Horizon League Tournament then five NCAA Tournament games for the second season in a row. Howard, Mack and Ronald Nored earned All-Horizon League honors, leading the Bulldogs after Hayward had been selected ninth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft.
 
In his six seasons as the head coach of the men's basketball program, Stevens posted a record of 166-49, including an 84-22 mark in conference play. Five of his six teams played in the NCAA Tournament, including the national runner-up teams in both 2010 and 2011. In his first season as head coach at Butler (2007-08), Stevens became the third-youngest coach in college basketball history to lead his team to 30 wins. Stevens joined the Butler coaching staff prior to the 2000-01 season before taking over as head coach with that 2007-08 season. Stevens was named head coach of the Boston Celtics in 2013 and continues to lead the storied franchise today.
 
Closser's name is all over Butler's women's basketball record book, starring for the team from 2003-07. The two-time all-conference first team selection scored 1,343 points in her career, a total that is 11^th in program history. Her career also includes 439 assists (fifth), while her 271 three-pointers are the most in program history.
 
Harber was named Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC) Pitcher of the Year in 1998, the same season he was selected as third-team Academic All-America. Following his junior season in 1998, Harber was drafted by the Florida Marlins. He led the Bulldogs to the 1998 MCC Championship as the team posted 33 wins.
 
Regan capped his Butler career by being named the Great Western Lacrosse League Player of the Year in 2000, also earning USILA All-America honors. His four-year Butler career included more than 100 goals before he began a professional career in the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse.
 
Boa earned letters in football, track and field, and baseball between the years of 1935-38. He was selected to Butler's senior men's honorary Blue Key Fraternity. Upon graduation, Boa organized and coached Butler's first golf team and served as an assistant football coach.
 
The previously-announced 2020 Hall of Fame Class includes former student-athletes Tara Loper (women's track and field, 1995-00), Nick Pantazi (men's soccer, 1999-02), and Eric Voss (football, 1990-93), as well as Special Service Award recipient John Harding.
 
The Butler Hall of Fame was created in 1991 to provide a forum in which those who have brought honor and respect to Butler University and its athletic program could be acknowledged and permanently enshrined in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Inductees have made exceptional contributions to the prestige of the University in the field of athletics, and continued to demonstrate in their lives the values imparted by athletics.