LumberJack Basketball junior Brent Brown didn't mince words when asked about his teammate, senior George Butvilas.

"He's the kind of guy you want to have on your team, both on and off the court," said Brown.

That type of sentiment was shared by the entire LumberJack Basketball Program when the subject of Butvilas came about. As Butvilas, as well as his fellow LumberJack Basketball seniors, enter the final stretch of their college basketball careers, he took a moment to reflect on the journey that is college and collegiate athletics.

"Playing college ball is something I always wanted to do," said Butvilas. "I'm so grateful. I mean, there are so many guys who either never get the opportunity, or don't take advantage of the chance to get to be a part of a college athletic team. To have had this chance, and been a part of this program…it's been such a blessing."

According to his teammates, however, having Butvilas as a teammate has been the true blessing.

"He brings such a positive vibe," said LumberJack junior Drew Lindberg. "I mean, he's always working to get better, and he wants to see each of us do the same."

LumberJack senior Jordan Brennan concurs that Butvilas is the standard bearer for the work-ethic expected within the Northland Basketball Program.

"George is the kind of guy you want on your team," Brennan said. "He sets the example of what a good teammate should be and puts in the work when no one is looking, without needing or wanting the recognition. The Northland Men's Basketball Program, and people in it, are better because of him."

Fellow LumberJack senior, and Upper Peninsula of Michigan native, Eli Nordine, agrees wholeheartedly with Brennan's assessment of Butvilas.

"George is like a brother to me," said Nordine. "It's crazy to think about how we talked about rooming together in college four years ago. And now, four years later, we're playing in our last season and getting ready to graduate together. It's an honor to call him my brother, best friend, and teammate."

Though Butvilas receives high praise from his teammates and coaches, he believes that it took him a little while to get his feet wet upon his arrival at Northland.

"I tell you, I was a young, selfish 18-year-old kid when I first arrived," joked Butvilas with a wry smile on his face. "Moving away from home for the first time, not knowing what to expect, yet thinking I had it all figured out. College basketball has a funny way of humbling someone pretty quickly. You learn early on what the expectations are, both on and off the court, or you find yourself missing opportunities to contribute."

LumberJack Basketball Head Coach Scott Sorenson doesn't quite agree with Butvilas's evaluation of his younger self.

"George always had the work-ethic," said Sorenson. "I don't think for one moment George showed any sign of selfishness. He's always been a guy we could rely on to set the bar high for others to follow. He's a tremendous person, a big credit goes to his parents and family in helping him become the young man he is."

During his 4 seasons, Butvilas has proven time and time again to be as valuable as anyone to the LumberJack Basketball Program. According to his teammates, this is no coincidence.

"He's such a humble person," added Brown. "Not a day goes by that he thinks any of this is about him. He just wants us to win. I think he almost gets more excited when someone else hits a shot as when he does."

Butvilas's humility is definitely evident.

"Despite the craziness of the last couple of seasons," said Butvilas, "the experience has been well worth it. I want to thank every coach, teammate, mentor and professor that I have had here. They all have affected me tremendously and I wouldn't be here today without them. I especially want to thank my family for always supporting me through the ups and downs. They have been my rock and it's hard to put into words what they have done for me. I will forever be grateful for that."
It's in this way that Butvilas hopes to leave his mark on the LumberJack Basketball Program.

"I have learned so much about myself in these past four years here," added Butvilas. "Things such as time management, priorities, and discipline. I learned quickly that college basketball is no joke, no matter what level you play at. You need toughness, grit and many other things if you want to play at a high level. I had to mature quickly to adjust myself to this new basketball. There were a lot of ups and downs, but I am thankful for it all. For a kid who didn't take basketball seriously until his sophomore year of high school, I feel like I will look back when I get older and have some sort of satisfaction. I've had the time of my life playing here at Northland."

Thanks to Butvilas and the standards he set, future LumberJacks will have a lot to live up to.