Cedar Hill (Texas) High School senior McKinlee Butler has a chance to make an immediate impact for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s soccer team when she arrives on campus next summer.
“I chose UAPB based on Coach Emanuel Stephens and the current players making me feel welcome and showing me that I could be happy living there over the next four years,” Butler said. “It’s also has always been a dream of mine to attend an HBCU.”
Butler plans to study animal science at UAPB, with a focus on aquaculture and fisheries.
“My goal is to become a veterinarian,” Butler said. “Two percent of veterinarians are African American and I want to be part of changing that. One day I hope to open my own clinic and inspire other young people to chase their dreams too.”
Butler will begin her senior season at Cedar Hill (located 17.1 miles south of Dallas) this winter. Last season, she guided the Longhorns to their first playoff appearance in eight years.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Over the past few years, McKinlee has meant so much to the growth of the program and to me as a coach,” said Tony Vortriede, Cedar Hill’s head coach for girls soccer. “From the moment she joined the team as a freshman, she brought a level of focus, determination, and team spirit that immediately stood out. McKinlee has always been one of those players who quietly leads by example on the field.”
Butler started on varsity as a freshman in 2023 and has 35 goals and 14 assists in three seasons. She was named District 6A-11 MVP last season and earned First Team All-District Honors three times. She was the Team MVP in 2024 and the Team Newcomer of the Year in 2023.
Butler is excited about elevating the program, which already has six players from Texas on the roster.
“I’m excited about the culture Coach Stephens is building,” Butler said. “His focus is to be competitive on the field and in the classroom. That really stood out to me. Playing at Cedar Hill has taught me so much about leadership and hard work. Being the only four-year varsity player comes with a lot of responsibility, but it’s helped me grow as both a player and person.”
This article is courtesy of Cedar Hill Independent School District Communications.