John Butkiewicz - 2014 VU Sport Hall of Fame inductee
A world-renowned midfielder whose innovations and dominance helped elevate Australian lacrosse on the global stage.
2014 VU Sport Hall of Fame (lacrosse)
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, 1974
John Butkiewicz is one of Australia’s most influential lacrosse players and a proud Victoria University graduate whose career and innovations shaped the sport both nationally and internationally.
A Williamstown local, John began playing lacrosse at age 11 and went on to enjoy a career spanning more than 30 years with the Williamstown Lacrosse Club, where he is now a Life Member. His commitment to the club and the sport helped establish Williamstown as one of Australia’s leading lacrosse teams.
In 1974 John was among the first graduates of the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the former Footscray Institute of Technology, now Victoria University.
John’s playing career is one of the most decorated in Australian lacrosse history. He represented Victoria in 11 national championships and was named Victorian Best and Fairest in both 1975 and 1976. At club level he won an extraordinary eight Best and Fairest awards.
His performances earned him selection in the Australian All Stars team seven times and Most Valuable Player honours at the Australian Championships on three occasions.
Internationally, John represented Australia at five World Lacrosse Championships: Melbourne (1974), Manchester (1978), Baltimore (1982), Toronto (1986) and Perth (1990). He was recognised as the world’s best midfielder in both 1978 and 1982 and was selected in the World All Stars Team in 1982.
John was widely regarded as the leading faceoff specialist of his era. His innovative techniques transformed the position and influenced playing styles around the world. His dominance was so significant that at one stage the United States temporarily altered local rules to counter Australia’s advantage in faceoffs.
In recognition of his extraordinary achievements and influence on the sport, John was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1990.
His induction into the Victoria University Sport Hall of Fame honours both his remarkable playing career and his lasting contribution to the development of lacrosse in Australia and internationally.