Southeastern Oklahoma State University Athletics

Football (1965-68)

Ronald “Butch” Arnett was an outstanding football player for the Southeastern Savages during the late 1960’s. He was born May 3, 1947 in Midland, Texas and moved to Idabel, Oklahoma at an early age. He started on the Idabel football team as a freshman and later moved to Durant where he played his last two years. At Durant High School, he was All-District, All-Conference, and Honorable Mention All-State in football and he competed two years in the Oklahoma State Track Meet in the discus throw.

Arnett was recruited to Southeastern State College by Coach Bob Thomas and became a key player during his four year career. He started as a linebacker and handled kick-off duties his freshman year. He later moved to offensive guard where he became a three year All-Oklahoma Collegiate Conference lineman and an NAIA All- American. During his senior year, he became a rare two-way player as a linebacker and offensive guard.

Coach Thomas’s 1967 Savages won the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference championship by defeating East Central before an overflow crowd at Paul Laird Field. Butch was a team captain during his last three years and a key player in the success of those teams.

Following graduation he coached in Oklahoma high schools at Drumright and Durant for several years before establishing a career in Durant in business and insurance.

Butch Arnett was an outstanding student, campus leader, and athlete during his undergraduate years at Southeastern. His success in athletics has brought recognition to the university and Southeastern honored him with membership in the Athletic Hall of Fame on February 23, 2002.