LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jeremy Butterbaugh was nominated anonymously. 

Coach Butterbaugh is more than the Physical Education (PE) / Health Department Chair and an Assistant Baseball Coach; he is the indispensable heart of Bingham High School's culture. His profound contributions as an educator, mentor, and leader make him a LifeChanger. 

"His dedication spans multiple critical areas of our school. He expertly manages the PE/Health Department, teaches essential courses including Lifetime Fitness, Team Sports, and Weights I & II, and serves as a vital Assistant Baseball Coach. Yet, his true impact is defined not by his titles, but by the extraordinary depth of his care and commitment to the community," said the nominator.

Coach Butterbaugh embodies the very essence of the "watch out for each other" spirit that defines Bingham's history. The Bingham Miners, who did not speak the same language, used a coin system to account for every individual entering and leaving the mine. This simple practice ensured that in the dark or during an emergency, every single person knew who was still inside; it was a pact of mutual responsibility. Coach Butterbaugh lives this legacy daily. He actively 'watches over' his department faculty, his fellow coaches, and the entire staff, demonstrating a leadership built on trust and vigilance. His commitment to this ethos was so powerful that he helped the principal secure and present Miners' coins to the entire faculty, ensuring every staff member felt seen, valued, and fundamentally cared for.

In the classroom and on the field, Coach Butterbaugh understands the complex reality of the student body, that many students carry problems far heavier than a barbell. He excels at the difficult balance of meeting students where they are emotionally and developmentally, while simultaneously providing the push they need to grow. His students don't just feel comfortable in his classes; they love them. He implements practical tools like setting incremental goals, but primarily, students respond to the fact that someone consistently cares about them and checks in. He is a rare individual whose technical expertise as a department chair and educator is matched only by his incredible heart and dedication to creating a positive Bingham culture. His work is not just teaching; it is soul-sustaining mentorship.