Joey Audia Thriving for Retooled Butler Butler University Football Program

Photo courtesy of Butler University Athletics.

When Joey Audia was in Kindergarten, he laced up the football pads for the first time. He admits; he was such a tiny kid that the pads were almost falling off and he was swimming in his jersey. Audia still may be smaller in stature, but for what he lacks in pure size, he makes up for it in heart and passion for stepping between the white lines.

A native of suburban Pittsburgh and a graduate of South Fayette High School, football players are made here. With former Lions players at all levels of football, including the highest stages of the NCAA and even the NFL, this brotherhood is one of the more decorated ones in all of central and western Pennsylvania football.

The coaching staff continues to develop young men into great athletes, while the athletes continue to come to practices and workouts ready to learn and continue this impressive tradition. It’s all Audia’s known since he’s been a little kid, and there’s no doubt it’s shaped the trajectory of his life.

Now a wide receiver and return specialist for the Butler University Bulldogs football program, his dream of playing at the Division I level has come true. During his recruiting process, it was unquestionably difficult. COVID-19 limited capacity at games, forced official visits to be virtual or incomplete, and even shortened seasons and canceled games did not allow for a full array of game film to be presented to college scouts and coaching staffs. Regardless of the obstacles and a unique finish to his high school days, Audia was eager to accept the chance to play D1 ball.

Before he arrived on campus, Butler football was at a place where nobody wanted it to be. The team was winless in the 2020-21 school year, but with a new coaching staff and a crew of players that bought into the mission and schemes of the Mike Uremovich staff, the team is trending in the right direction. Coming off a 7-4 record, the Bulldogs have become a team that’s turning heads in the Pioneer Football League (PFL).

So far in his two years of college football, Audia has played in 14 total games, with him accepting a redshirt after playing in four games in his first season. This decision was not easy, but one that Audia thinks will pay dividends by the end of his college career. In his redshirt freshman campaign, Audia took a leap both in the return game and for the Bulldogs offense.

He quickly became one of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) top return men. He also morphed into a do it all athlete for the offense with his blazing speed on the outside providing a boost. Audia was tabbed as an All-PFL Honorable Mention performer and a 2022 Phil Steele Fourth Team All-PFL. The recognition is nice, but the job isn’t finished.

Similar to his accolades in high school, the Allegheny County native is appreciative of the accolades that have followed because of his success. Still, continuing to work in the weight room and the field is most important and becoming the best player he can possibly be.

Looking back at high school, Audia’s brag sheet is impressive as a three-year varsity starter and letter winner, three conference championships, two All-Conference selections, a WPIAL title, a team captain, an All-State selection, being named a top 20 wide receiver recruit in the state of Pennsylvania in the class of 2021, and the South Fayette all-time leader in return yards (1,250). He also took care of business in the classroom as an honor roll student and an inductee to the National Honor Society. Today, his studies continue to be important as he’s currently majoring in finance and may add another focus in risk management as time goes on.

Over his remaining three years of college football, Audia is hopeful that Butler can continue to rise and his career will do the same alongside the program. Winning football is all he’s known and played since he put on the pads for the first time. And along with that, he continues to process doubters that he would make this level on notice.

Joey Audia is someone who proves Mark Twain’s saying correct that ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” While being 5’8” doesn’t always make it easy to be a high-level athlete, Audia has proven for years his grit and speed outweigh this attribute of being labeled “too small.” He surely will continue to do this as he continues to put his head down and make himself and the Bulldogs the best they can be.

“I just continue to play the cards I’m dealt and make the most of every situation,” he said. “No matter what circumstances are thrown at you, that’s all you can do.”

Photo courtesy of Butler University Athletics.