HOF ERA 2010

2013

Gilbert "Gil" Elliott: He was an outstanding pitcher in the Butler County League in the 1930's and early 1940's sandlot baseball era. He teamed up with Lud Smith that created a pitching duo that seldom lost when they were on the mound. Gil's fastball was said the be the fastest in the County League for years. He signed a minor league baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers organization that took him to Class A Winston-Salem in the Piedmont League. After two seasons in the Class A League he was signed to a major league contract with Detroit, and was to move up to the major league team. A family illness caused Gil to resign from the team and move back home to help. He embarked on a very successful semi-pro career in the local teams as a pitcher and first baseman in 1948. His team won the league championship in1948 and 49. When he retired from playing he spent many years teaching and coaching little league teams in the Petrolia area.

Charles "Chud" Cunningham: A 1964 Karns City HS graduate who lettered three years in basketball, and track along with one year in football. He was selected for the Class B All- State team his junior and senior year. He placed first his senior year in the PIAA District 10 Track Championship in the shot put. He set a new Karns City HS record of 52' 6". Following HS he began a long and successful career playing softball on local Western PA teams, tournament teams that won national championships, and played one season for the Pittsburgh Hard Hats, a professional softball team.

John Cavanaugh: John was a Slippery Rock HS graduate and an outstanding point guard on their basketball team as a three year letterman. He set a single game scoring record for SRHS in 1962 with 41 points. The 1962 team won the Butler County League Championship, and went on to the PIAA finals. He was selected to several post-season tournament teams. His senior year he was the second leading scorer in Butler County, and named to the All- County Team by the Butler Eagle. He was also named All-State Honorable Mentinhis senior year. He spent his summers playing baseball in the PREP League as a member of the Butler Cubs. He then went on to continue playing basketball at Indiana University of Pa for three years as a point guard. After graduation from IUP he became a basketball coach for Purchase Line HS. From there he moved on to the Slippery Rock HS basketball coaching position in 1968 at age 23. He left that position in 1973 to become an assistant coach at Slippery Rock University. He retired from coaching after 38 years in successful years. In 2006 he co-founded a basketball club program in Pittsburgh growing to 15 teams. In 2012 he was recognized as the 2012 Outstanding Alumnus of Indiana University of PA.

Erin J. Ward Whitman: A Butler HS graduate who earned eleven letters ( four in soccer, four in track & field, and three in basketball). She graduated as the 5th leading scorer in basketball with 1,005 points. She was named to the 1st team WPIAL All- Section team as a senior and First Team Butler Eagle County All-Stars in both her junior and senior year. Her teammates named her the team MVP her junior and senior year also. She was an outstanding soccer player earning the MVP Award her junior and senior year, and named to the Butler Eagle All-Star Team in soccer her last two years at Butler. The WPIAL named her 1st Team All-Section teams also her last two high school years. And she captured first place in the WPIAL Track Finals in the shotput her senior year,and qualified for the PIAA State Championships. She went on to earn 12 letters at Geneva College in basketball, soccer and track. She was the team captain her junior and senior year in basketball, As a soccer player at Geneva she was named MVP and graduated as the scoring leader in a season with 24 goals. She was named 1st Team All- Conference in soccer all four years. In track she was the NCAA D-II National Javelin Champion her Freshman and Junior years.

Karissa Kusick Dominick: A 2000 graduate of Karns City HS as a four year letterman in basketball. As a senior she was named 1st Team All-Butler Eagle Ladies Basketball player and Co-MVP of the Keystone Shortway Conference. She ended her high school career as the 4th leading scorer in school history with 1,351 points. She went on to continue playing basketball at Baldwin-Wallace College. She earned four varsity letters in basketball and on letter in golf. She was team captain of their women's basketball program for three seasons. She led her team to two Division III Tournaments and as a senior she was named the team Academic All-OAC Selection.

Nicholas "Nick" Reiser: A Knoch HS graduate who earned three letters in football and two in basketball for the Knights. His senior year he was named 3rd Team All-State in football, and named to the All-Conference team in basketball. He went on to play football at Allegheny College lettering all four years becoming an outstanding linebacker for the Gators. He was named to the North Coast Athletic Conference All-Conference team all four years. In 1996 he was honored with the Hank Critchfield Defensive Player of the Year award. In the 1996-97 school year he was the Allegheny College Male Athlete of the Year. He was also named to the 1993-2004 NCAC All-Decade Team. Among the many other All-America awards he received he was named the Hewlett-Packard Outstanding D-III football player, and named to the Don Hansen Football Gazette. He led the Gators in total solo tackles his senior year, while earning his third first team All-Conference honors. He was also earned honors as a student/athlete for athletics, academics, and community support.

2014

Steven Napora:A 1936 Butler HS graduate He played on the first Butler HS golf team in1935 and also played on the 1936 golf team. As hte captain of the 1936 team he tied for 16th place in the PIAA Golf Championship, and also placed 3rd in the WPIAL Golf Championship. He became the first Butler golfer to medal in both the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs. As an amateur golfer , he won the 1956 Butler Country Club Championship. He was also instrumental in helping design and build he first 9 holes at Krendale Golf Course.

Terry Henry: A 1957 East Brady HS graduate, where he earned six letters in basketball, football, and golf. He went to play football and letter twice at Slippery Rock University graduating in 1971. From Slippery Rock he went on to al long basketball, football coaching career, and athletic director. He started teaching and coaching at his Alma Mater - East Brady HS in 1972, where he coached basketball and football, and was named their Athletic Director. In 1973 he was named the head football coach. In 1984 he became the head football coach at Seneca Valley HS and the next year he also became the schools Athletic Director. In 1995 he retired as the head football coach after coaching for 24 years. His overall coaching record was 142-62-5. At East Brady his record was 69-16-3. At Seneca Valley his record was 78-48-2. He retired from Seneca Valley in 2007.

James "Jimmy" Stewart: A 1979 Butler HS graduate who became a professional kick boxer with his first bout in 1966. For the next 12 years he earned a record of 19-0 with 4 KO's. He won the IFK Pennsylvania State Middleweight title in 1999. the North American title in 2000, and the International Kickboxing Federation World Heavyweight title in 2004. He also started Taekwondo training in 1985. He is a Master Instructor 4th Degree and operates the Stewart center in Butler, PA.

Jefferson Dickson: A 1993 Knoch HS graduate where he was a three sport letterman in basketball, golf, and track. While at Knoch he won he won the WPIAL Golf Championship, and the PIAA State Golf Championship in 1991 and 1992. In 1993 he won the Pennsylvania Golf Association Boys Championship, and was named Scholar Athlete at the 1993 YMCA Scholar Athlete Banquet at the Downtown Pittsburgh YMCA. After graduating from Knoch he went on to play golf at the University of North Carolina where he lettered in the 1993-94 season.

Jeffery MacAnallen: A 1990 Butler HS graduate who lettered three years in football and track. He was the Golden Tornado team captain in 1990 and also was named to the Post Gazette Fabulous 22 Team and the Pittsburgh Press Finest 44 that year. After graduating from Butler HS he received an athletic scholarship to University of Tulsa, where he was a three year letter man. While at Tulsa he played in the 1991 Freedom Bowl on the USA Today # 22 ranked team in the nation. He earned lineman of the week three times in 1993 against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Louisville. In 1994 he again earned Lineman of the Week against the same three teams. After graduating from Tulsa he turned to coaching in 1996, coaching wrestling, and in 1997 he coached track, and in 1997 through 2007 he was an Assistant Football Coach at North Hills HS. Then from 2007 - 2009 he became the Butler HS Varsity Football coach.

Marlesse Schlott Hames: A 1992 Seneca Valley HS graduate where she earned eleven letters in basketball , soccer and softball. She was named to the Pittsburgh Press and Post Gazette Section 3 All- Star teams in 1992 and won the Sherman Award and eh YMCA Award the same year. She graduated Seneca Valley as the leading girls soccer scorer with 1062 points and the all time rebounder with 961. Also in 1992 she was a pitcher on the girls softball team who were the WPIAL Championship Team, and were the PIAA State Championship Team. She batted .602 that season. She then attended Washington & Jefferson College and then transferred to the Penn State Behrend Campus of Penn State University, where she lettered three years in basketball, and two letters in softball and was named Offensive Player of the Year. She also was invited to tryout for the Women's NBA Professional Basketball Association.

Scott Grinder: A 1972 Seneca Valley HS graduate where he played baseball. After graduation he attended Butler County Community College where he also played baseball. At the same time he played baseball for the Zelienople American Legion Baseball program, and then for Harmony in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League. In 1974 he began his professional umpiring career with the Rookie Class Gulf Coast League. In 1975 & 1976 he moved to the Class A Florida State League, then in 1977 he advanced to the Class AA Southern League. Then in 1979 thru 1986 he was with the Class AAA International League, where he served as a crew chief for seven years. In 1981 and 82 he also worked in Puerto Rico Winter League and from 1983 - 1986 he worked as an official in the National League for Major League Baseball. In 1995 he became an Associate Scout for the New York Yankees and from 1996 through 2002 he served in the same capacity with the Tampa Bay Rays. He also has been President of Christian Sports International since 2003.

Ron Wissinger - Over 60 Tournament

Pud Craig - Far Right

Jeff Woller - PItching for Saxonburg Eagle County Baseball

2011

Don Hixon: A 1936 Penn Township HS graduate, and also captain of the basketball team his senior year. He went on to play for various independent leagues in Western Pennsylvania and also coached youth baseball. Many of his youth players went on to play at the collegiate level. He was also an outstanding catcher for Penn Twp. in the Butler Eagle Co. Baseball League.

Dess Schnur: He dedicated 50 years to baseball in the Butler area, with his focus on the East Butler Baseball Assn. He managed the East Butler American Legion program for many years amassing a record of 423-188. His fundraising efforts helped with the development of the East Butler Baseball Complex for years. He also served on the Pullman Park Board with the renovation of the ball park complex.

Don Wix: A 1955 Mars HS graduate and was a three year letter man in basketball scoring 389 points in 1954 and 486 in 1955. He went on to play baseball at Westminster College for four years, and each summer he played baseball for local Mars baseball teams in teh Eagle County League under coach Ches Marburger.

William Black: A Butler native who attended the Milton Hershey School where he played baseball and hockey. After graduation he returned to Butler and played baseball for the Butler County Community College. He ten spent 22 years coaching hockey for Butler, and Hampton, compiling a record of 243-159-36 including three WPIHL championships. As an amateur golfer he won the Butler County Amateur Open. He also won several other local golf events.

Mike Franko: A two year cross country runner at the Butler County Community College being named All-State twice for the Pioneers. He went on to continue cross country at Slippery Rock University where he ran the in 4 minutes and 18 seconds. After SRU, he served in the military and then returned to Butler. For many years he served as President of the Butler Road Race beginning in 2000. He has earned over 100 awards in his age groups in distance running including the Boston Marathon.

James Geist: A 1985 Knoch HS graduate where he excelled as a track participant, in particular the javelin throw. He set the new school record for Knoch in 1985 with a throw of 210' 4". At Knoch he won the Butler Invitational, the Fort Pitt Invitational, and the WPIAL championship his senior year. He placed third at the PIAA championships. He moved on to Slippery Rock University where in 1989 he set the Slippery Rock University javelin record with a toss of 230' 2".

Courtney Rattigan Bryson: A 2000 Karns City HS graduate as a four year starter on he girls basketball team. soccer, track, and volleyball teams. She ended her high school career scoring 1,433 points. She played center on the KC girls 2000 PIAA State Championship basketball team. She was named the MVP of the championship game, and also earned second-team All-Sate recognition. She also received the US Navy Athletic Achievement Award. She went on to play basketball for Indiana University of Pa. but injuries limited her ability to continue her basketball career.

Marlissa Haynes 4th from left - PSU HOF.

2012

Alfred "Alf" Allam: A 1920 graduate of West Philadelphia HS where he participated in football. He came to Butler in 1920 and became active in the YMCA. He was a swimming instructor at Alameda Park Pool. He also organized the Knit Hole Club for the Class C & D baseball leagues at Pullman Park. In 1948 he was one of the charter members that started the Butler Midget Football League, which is still active to this day. In 1968 the Midget Football League named their football field Al ALam Field. He was also instrumental in bringing the first sanctioned Little League baseball franchise with four teams to Butler.

Donald Dombart: A 1950 Butler HS graduate where he lettered in track. He also played baseball for the Butler Cubs baseball team. He He enlisted in the US Navy and played baseball at different base assignments while in the military. After completing his military tour, he attended Clarion State College, where he played baseball and football. After graduating from Clarion he went on to teach and coach baseball and football at the Norther Bedford School District. From there he returned to Butler where he became head baseball coach at Butler HS for fifteen years. He also was a PIAA Official in baseball and football, and later the Sports Equipment Manager for thirteen years.

Martin Leo Sasse: A 1952 Winfield HS graduate where he set school records in scoring and rebounding in basketball. He set a record 37 points in one game, while averaging 20 points per game. He also set records in baseball at Winfield for hits, batting average, and stolen bases. In the late 1950's he turned to a long and successful career plating sandlot softball winning numerous championships across the USA.

Bob Barlett: The 1965 Hickory HS graduate, where he averaged 17.5 points per game in basketball, earning MVP honors in Mercer County. A three year letterman at Hickory HS. he served as team captain and named Mercer County MVP his senior year. He also was named Honorable Mention All- State, won the W. U. Hoyle Award during the Hoyle Tournament of Champions. He then went on to become a 1969 Slippery Rock University graduate where he was named the men's basketball team captain his senior year. The 6' guard averaged 18.8 points per game and led the team in rebounding. He was named First team Pennsylvania Athletic Conference his junior and senior years, and selected All-District First Team by the Post Gazette in 1969. He won the Pop Storer Memorial Award as the outstanding senior athlete his senior year at SRU. He went on to a very successful basketball coaching career starting at Moniteau HS, taking teams to two team tournaments with a 172-81 overall record from 1970-79. He was named conference coach of the year five times. He led the Warriors to their only Clarion County basketball championship in 1975. He ten became an assistant men's basketball coach at Westminster College, and also was the head track coach. And then became the head men's basketball coach at Butler County Community College from 1982 - 85 he enjoyed seasons of 18-5, 23-5, and 23-5, twice winning the state NJCAA Championships. He ten coached at Slippery Rock University from 1985-93, which are some of the university's best seasons in the program's history. He posted an overall record of 129-113, and four 20 plus win seasons. he led the Rock to the only two appearances in the NCAA D-II tournament in shcool historya at that time. The 1990 team finished ranked # 2 in the nation. He coached five All-Americans and three players who played profesionally.

Larry Napora: A 1978 Butler HS graduate, he lettered three years in swimming. He swam a leg of the Golden Tornado's 400-yard free relay team that earned all-state honors, and set a school record. Napora swam the 200, 500, and 1,000 freestyle in high school. He went on to Westminster College, where he became a two-year All-American while swimming distance events. He lettered four years at Westminster. After college he became the director of golf at the Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio.

Carole Cress Deskovich: A 1986 Mars HS graduate, where she ran Cross Country and Track. She won a state medal in the 200 meters in 1985. She also was the WPIAL Champion in the 100 meter event in 1985 & 86. She held school records for the 100, 200, and 400 meter races. After graduating from Mars she attended Frostburg State College where she earned All-American honors five times. She held college records in the 4x100, 4x200, and the 4x800 meter relays at Frostburg.

Eric Hohn:The 1982 Butler HS graduate. He was an American Legion baseball All-Star performer who was drafted by the Baltimore organization out of high school in the 18th round, and then again by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 22nd round after his collegiate career on scholarship at Penn State University, earning his degree in pre-law and business. His era his senior year was 2.59 earning him the Chuck Medlar Award as the team MVP. He was the ace of the pitching staff at PSU when the team won the Atlantic 10 South Division title in 1985. When the Cardinals drafted him in 1986. He pitched for the Erie in the NY Penn League, and then moved up to Class A Savannah in the South Atlantic League the following year. He injured his pitching arm in 1987 causing him to end his baseball caareer.

2015

Dave Hoffman: Dave started his racing career in 1965, and maintained that career for five decades. Dave was very well known in the Late Model classification. He ended his career with 299 victories. He won the Late Model track championship at Lernerville Race Track from 1975- 1977, and is one of only eight drivers in Lernerville history to win three consecutive points titles. His 19 late model wins at Lernerville remain among the tracks all-time top ten in that division. He also received the Sportsmanship Award Milestone in Racing during hsi career. He also was the track's 1991 points champion as well, and also earned points titles at Raceway 7, Smuckers Speedway, and North Hills Speedway. Dave claimed the Pittsburgh Circle Traack Club Championship in 1986, 1988, and 1989.

James Cooper: A 1963 Butler HS graduate who played football and track for two seasons. In 1963 he was awarded the Jim McDowell Award, and also earned Honorable Mention High School All-American. He was also named Second String All-State in football. He earned an Athletic Football Scholarship in football from the University of Georgia after graduating from Butler HS. In his second season he was injured that ended his football career. Prior to signing with Georgia he was offered several other Division I football scholarships from Michigan, Wake Forest, Purdue, and Alabama.

Joseph O'Brien: A 1972 Butler HS graduate who excelled in swimming. He was named a High School All-American his junior year, and his senior year he earned All-State in three events. His senior year he he held seven high school swimming records, and voted the teams Outstanding Swimmer. He also won first place his senior year in the WPIAL 50 Freestyle. He went on to swim at East Liberty University for two seasons earning NAIA All-American status both years. He also was a holder of a National Master Swim record in the 200 Freestyle Relay, and still holds two Butler Country Club records since 1972.

Leann Burkholder:Leann was a 1984 Butler HS graduate she earned 11 varsity letters in three sports including basketball, tennis, and track. Upon graduation from high school she was the 3rd leading scorer, and 2nd in rebounds. She was awarded First Team All-WPIAL in basketball from 1981- 1984. She was the All-Defensive player in the 1982 Seneca Valley Basketball Tournament, and earned the Best Defensive and MVP of the 1984 Butler Girls Basketball Team. She also was the 1983 WPIAL Doubles Champion in tennis, and named the Outstanding Junior for the Butler HS Tennis Team. After high school she went on to play and letter on the University of Pittsburgh's women's basketball team from 1986-1988, and was on the Dean's s a scholar athlete. She went on to play semi-pro basketball for the Iowa Unicorn in 1992. She then coached basketball for a total of 25 years. For 17 of those coaching years she coached the nationally ranked West Waterloo girls high school team, and then 2 years for the boys English Valley HS. She then coached 7 years at Naples High School in Naples Florida.,

Anessa Schnur Steele:A 2000 Butler HS graduate where she lettered all four years in basketball, soccer, track & field and cross country. She was 12 time WPIAL Champion, and held the 400m record for nine years. At the same time she was 4-time WPIAL Team Champion. She also was a 7-time PIAA state medalist. After graduating from Butler, she continued her athletic career at the University of Michigan in cross country and track & field. While at Michigan she contributed to 5 Big Ten Team Indoor, and Outdoor Championships. She also was named a Scholar Athlete recipient. After graduating from Michigan she became the Head Varsity Girls Track Coach leading her team to back to back WPIAL Team Championships at Butler HS. He teams were also Section Champs in 2011, TSTCA Champions in 2010 & 2011. She continues to coach at the collegiate level when in 2019 she joined Edinboro University as an Assistant Track & Field Coach.

Dan Grindel: A 1981 Butler HS graduate who lettered in football, track & field, and swimming & diving. he was the 1980 recipient of the Butler Cubs MVP Award, and the MAC Conference 1 Meter Diving Champion. he also placed 5th in the PIAA Diving Championships, and he placed 16th in the AAU/USA Junior Olympics National Championships. In 1981 he was the recipient of the Napora Award. That same year he was the MAC Champion setting a conference record and was the PIAA State Champion. As a senior at Butler he had a perfect 15-0 record in swimming & diving. He was also was a NISCA All-American Selection in 1981. After high school he attended West Virginia University where he lettered in1982 & 1983. He was the recipient of the Mike Peppe Award for 1 Meter Springboard Diving in the 1981-82 season, and the 1982-83 seasons. In 1983 he won the Atlantic 10 Conference Outstanding Diver Award, and was the Atlantic Conference 1 & 3 Meter Champion also the Eastern 8 Championships in the One Meter from 1986 - 1990 as a member of the US High Diving Team in Chicago.

Dan Cunningham:A 1965 Karns City HS graduate where he lettered in basketball and track. After graduation he entered the US Army serving overseas in VietNam, then West Germany where he played baseball, basketball, and football for his military units. He quarterbacked the US Army's 44th Brigade Football Team to a championship in Wurtzburg in 1969. After his military service he returned home and played sandlot softball for several local teams. At the same time he started a long time career coaching and officiating baseball at several levels in the Saxonburg Area Baseball Association including Little League, Pony League, Colt League, and American Legion teams. He served in several capacities for the Saxonburg Area Baseball Association including President for three years. He also served as an officer for the Butler County American Legion Baseball Organization as Secretary for 3 years, and Vice President for 3 years. At the same time he was instrumental in helping start the JV Baseball program at Knoch HS, where he coached on both JV and the Varsity Teams for several years. In 1994 he organized a new entrant into the Butler Eagle County Baseball League. In his 25 years as manager of the Saxonburg semi-pro teams he had a win - loss record of 449-159-6. His teams won 3 Regular Season Championships and 5 Playoff Championships. At the same time he served in various capacities for the Eagle County Baseball League including Secretary, Vice President , and President for 10 years. Also for over 35 years he was a baseball official for various associations including the Butler County Baseball Officials where he also served as Secretary, Scheduler, and President. He also was a registered PIAA Baseball Official serving the Butler County PIAA Baseball Officials since 1996 in various capacities including Secretary, V. President, President, and Scheduler. He also was a baseball official for several years with the Tri-State Collegiate Umpire Association, and the Collegiate Baseball Umpire Alliance. For several years he has been currently a part of the Saturday Morning Sports Journal radio talk show in Butler PA.

2016

Nicholas " Nick" Russin:He attended Butler HS from 1936 - 1939, then from 1940 - 1943 he attended Washington & Jefferson College, and then earned his Masters Degree and Doctorate from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. He then attended UCLA in 1944 to learn weather conditions for the US Navy.He lettered in baseball at W&J in 1942 & 43. He was the player/manager of the W&J 1943 baseball team. Later in 1944 he played for the UCLA Bruins men's baseball team where his team won the Pacific Coast College Championship. He was a unanimous All-Conference selection in the Pacific Coast League. He still hold the strikeout record for one game in UCLA history. After UCLA he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed in Guam from 1944- 1946 where he played baseball on the base team. During his adult years he played for several sandlot and semi-pro teams including Highfield from 1937-1940, the Butler Cubs in 1946, the Butler Eagle County baseball team from 1947 - 1949. He also played for Morrison City and Gate City in Tennessee from 1950 - 1951. Following his baseball career he spent over 40 years with the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church and the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra.

Gary Warman: A 1978 Mars HS graduate where he lettered three years in football and track. He was named the Warrendale Player of the Week and the Mars Quarterback Club Player of the Week five times in 1978. He went to play football at Geneva College lettering all four years. He was named All-District in football in 1980, 81,& 82. In 1982 he registered 133 tackles which still ranks # 4 for a single season on Geneva's all time list. In his football. In his career at Geneva College he registered 429 tackles which still ranks him # 2 in Geneva's all-time record books. He is also 3rd all-time on Geneva's career list with 222 solo tackles. After he finished his collegiate career he signed as an un-drafted Free Agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in the Hall of Fame game and was injured and released. From 1994 - 2000 he participated in the Tough Man Competition.

Steven Prokopchak: He was a 1952 Butler HS graduate where he lettered three years in basketball and golf. He also lettered one year in football. He was "B" Certified in 1950, 51, & 52. He was offered a Professional Baseball contract with Cincinnati, and collegiate scholarships to attend Grove City,Lafayette, Youngstown State, and Westminster College. He decided to attend Westminster College, and from 1952 - 1956 he lettered in baseball and golf all four years. He also played basketball all four years and lettered his senior year. He was the Team Captain of the 1956 baseball team. He was awarded the Block " W" Award in 1956. He played baseball in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League and the Tri-County Baseball Leagues from 1951 - 1953, and played for the YMCA men's basketball team in 1952 which placed 2nd in the National YMCA Basketball Tournament. He was voted to the All-Star Team in that tournament.

Thomas Michael Sheehy:A 1985 Mars HS graduate who lettered three years in baseball and basketball. He also lettered two years in football. While at Mars he was awarded the Eythe Williams Award as the Outstanding Senior Athlete. He was named MVP in baseball his junior and senior years, and MVP in basketball and football his senior year. He led the WPIAL with the most hits in the 1984 season which was also the Mars HS record. He hit .553 that season, and had the most doubles with 11. He also set a single game scoring record in basketball his senior seasons scoring 42 points. IN 1985 & 86 he was selected to play in the Pennsylvania American Legion East/West All Star Game. After graduation he went on to play baseball at Penn State University lettering in baseball and set a new record for the most home runs as a Freshman. He left Penn State after his sophomore year after being drafted in the 14th round by the California Angels. After his professional baseball years he returned to Butler County and played for many years in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League. He was named MVP with the Callery and Mars teams. He helped win the 1992 Eagle County Championship with Callery and then changed teams and played for the Mars entrant helping them win six championships. He was one of the most consistent power hitters in the Eagle County League for 15 years, averaging 14 home runs per season on an average of 28 games per season schedule. In 2007 he was inducted into the Mars Area HS Hall of Fame.

Darin L. Cunningham: A 1995 Knoch HS graduate where he lettered three years in baseball. He was a two time winner of the Ace Pitching Award, and pitched the first shutout in Knoch baseball history in 1994. His batting average over three years was .329. He went on to attend the Penn State Beaver Campus as a starting pitcher for two years. In 1995 the PSU Beaver NJCAA baseball team was ranked as high as # 1 in the nation. They won the PJCAC State Championship and Darin was the winning pitcher of the Commonwealth Conference Tournament. In the fall of 1996 PSU Beaver won the Commonwealth Conference Tournament again and ended up being ranked #5 in the nation. In the Spring of 1997 he was the complete game winning pitcher of game #1 of the NJCAA College World Series in Batavia New York. The PSU Beaver Team ended up being ranked # 1 in the nation in the NJCAA. Also in 1997 he was awarded the John Egli Award as the Outstanding Male Athlete in the Penn State Commonwealth Campuses. His overall record pitching record at Penn State Beaver was 14-1, with 3 saves, a 2.01 ERA and 99 strikeouts. He also maintained a 3.3 GPA while at the PSU Beaver Campus. In 1998 he accepted a baseball scholarship from Lander University in Greenville South Carolina in the Peach Belt Conference. His overall record at Lander was 5-3. In 1999 he transferred back to Penn State University Main Campus on the baseball team. He opted his first year at the main campus to take a red shirt to recover from shoulder surgery. In 2000 he was awarded a baseball scholarship to pitch. He led the majority of the 2000 season with a 1.87 ERA as a middle relief and a closer. Penn State was ranked as high as #18 in the NCAA Division I baseball teams. Penn State earned a berth in the NCAA Regional Baseball Division I College playoff tournament. They defeated Rutgers, Army, and North Carolina in the Regional Series playoffs earning a berth in the NCAA Super Regionals against Texas where they lost the best of three series. He was named a Big 10 Scholar Athlete both years at Penn State and made the Dean's list both years also. He went on to take Post Graduate studies at Slippery Rock University after graduating from Penn State. At Slippery Rock he served as Assistant for Coach Jeff Messer for Slippery Rocks baseball team for one season. After and during his collegiate career he played several seasons for Saxonburg in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League helping the team win three championships.

Meghan Schnur:A 2003 Butler HS graduate where she lettered four years in soccer. From 1999- 2002 she earned WPIAL First Team recognition, and the Post Gazette and Tribune Review First Team. In 2001 & 2002 she was named the Post Gazette and Tribune Review Female Soccer Player of the Year, and the NSCAA High School All State Regional All-American & National All-American. In 2002 she also earned the Gatorade Pennsylvania Female Player of the Year, a McDonalds All-American, and an NSCAA Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Post Gazette, and Tribune Review Female Player of the Year. She also became Butler High School's first Parade Magazine All-American. In 2003 she was named Dapper Dan Charities Female Athlete of the Year. She went on to play soccer for the University of Connecticut earning her Bachelors and Master's Degree. While with UCONN women's soccer team from 2003 - 2007. In 2003 she was named Big East Conference Rookie of the Year, Soccer Buzz, and Soccer America All-Rookie Team. In 2004 she earned a Bronze Medal in Thailand s part of the US U-19 Women's National Team. From 2006-07 she was named to the All New England Region First Team. Also from 2003-2006 she played for the New England Mutiny in the Women's Premier Soccer League as a first team selection. In 2008 she played for the Gold Medalist Nordic Cup Tournament U-23 US Soccer National Team. In 2009 she was drafted in the second round (11th overall) of the initial player draft of the new Women's Professional Soccer League by the Skyline FC out of the New York/New Jersey area. In 2010 she became a contracted player for the US Women's National Soccer Team, and in 2011 to the Washington Freedom/Magic/Jack SC and continued her contract with the US National Team.

2017

Sam Bello: (Lifetime Achievement Award) - Sam was born in 1922 and at the age of three he became a victim of a polio outbreak, thus causing him to have a physical disability in one leg. The disability did not discourage his love for sports and by the late 1940's he became very involved in Butler area sports. He managed American Legion baseball, and the Butler Cubs. These coaching jobs led him to his long tenure with the Butler Midget Football League, where he served in many capacities from 1957 through 1998. At the same time he coached and umpired in local Little League Baseball program. And he coached local sandlot softball teams for many years. These contributions only highlight what he gave to local athletic programs.

Sam Moore: A 1951 graduate of Muddy Creek High School was an outstanding pitcher in the Eagle County League pitching for Middle Lancaster along other local sand lot teams. He enlisted in the US Army and continued pitching baseball. He also pitched for Wampum in the Lawrence County Baseball League from 1951 - 1953. His biggest accomplishments were in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League for 25 years. In 1954 he was named the MVP of the League. Middle Lancaster also went undefeated in 1957 league playoffs. His most dominant outing was in 1955 when he had 15 strikeouts in the game. When Sam entered the US Army he pitched for the 37th Tank Battalion at FT. Hood Texas, winning the Championship game with a three hitter outing. Sam considered a professional baseball contract while still in high school,, but opted to stay home.

Wayne Roccia: A 1968 Seneca Valley HS graduate where he lettered three seasons in football and track and field. He was MAC 2nd All-Conference in football and Team MVP in 1967. He went on to attend Edinboro University lettering two years in baseball. He graduated in 1972. He went on to earn his Masters Degree from Slippery Rock University. From 1964 - 1995 he played baseball in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League for Callery, Middle Lancaster, and Zelienople. He also served as president of the Eagle County League from 1987 - 1995. He served as the Seneca Valley HS Offensive coordinator 1974-1982. He also coached Cross County at Seneca Valley 1974 -2007 in various positions. And coached Boys and Girls Track 1976 - 2007. His overall record in Boys Track 221 wins and 104 losses. He overall Girls Track record was 223 wins and 76 losses.

Ron Wissisnger: A 1968 Freeport HS graduate where he played baseball and basketball. After high school he played softball at all levels. He was MVP of the 1975 USSSA PA World Tournament Qualifier. In the 1975 World Tournament in Detroit he was the Home Run Champion ad First-Team All-World Honors. IN 1991 at the USSSA Michigan Police Fore Tournament he earned First-Team All-World Honors with the Pittsburgh Police Team. At the ASA National Championship he earned First-Team All-American in 1995. In 1995 at the USSSA World Championships in Tampa he First Team All-World Honors. In 1996 he earned First-Team All-American at the ASA Championships in St. Louis. In 1997 his team was the National Champions and was named First-Team All-American. His teams were also five time winners in the 35 and over PA State Championships. They were also five time winners in the 40 and over teams. He currently plays for 60 and over championship teams.

Jeff Woller: A 1988 Knoch HS graduate where he was a three sport letterman in basketball, football, and track. And was a National Honor Society member. After high school he went on to Wooster College lettering al four years in baseball. He was also a member of the Academic-Athletic Achievement Club his junior and senior year. He pitched for Saxonburg in 1986 & 1987 for their American Legion baseball team that won back to back championships. In 1987 he pitched a no hit 10 strikeout performance in the championship game against Lyndora. He also earned a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates the same year. From 1990 - 2000 he played for Saxonburg in the Butler Eagle County League. Some of his outstanding pitching performances for Saxonburg were 17 K's against Gibsonia in 1997, 16 K's against Butler in 1996, and 11K's against Mars in the 1996 playoff games. In 1989 for Wooster he pitched in the Division III College World Series. In 1991 he led the North Coast Conference with an ERA of 2.26 ranking 37th in the nation. In 1992 he led the North Coast Conference in strikeouts wiht 68 in 58.1 innings. He averaged 10.3 strikeouts per game ranking him #19 in Division III baseball.

Mark Farabee: A Slippery Rock University graduate who lettered three years in football, playing on three PSAC Championship teams. Mark taught Health & Physical Education for 38 years at Butler High School. He was the head football coach for 6 years at Butler and an Assistant Football coach for 25 years. He also was head boys track coach for 10 years. In 1989 his team won the WPIAL championship.

Monica Glomb: A 2007 Mars HS graduate where she lettered all four years in softball. She was named a All-Section player three times. She was also named the MVP of the 2005 Section Championship Team, and earned MVP on the 2006 Section Championship Team. She was also named the 2006 WPIAL MVP for softball. While at Mars HS she pitched two perfect games one of which she had 19 strikeouts in `14 innings against Hampton. Overall at Mars she had 745 strikeouts with an ERA of .096 After high school she went on to pitch at Kutztown University lettering all four years and won numerous Player of the Week awards.

2010:

Don Gaiser: A 1920's era Karns City HS graduate who honed his baseball skills on the sandlot fields of Western Pennsylvania in the late 1920's through the 1940's. He signed a professional contract with the Cleveland Indians in 1931 for the Blue Ridge League. In 1935 he came back to Pennsylvania and played for his employer the Daugherty Refinery which won the National sandlot Tournament. Healso played locally for Boyers, Chicora, and West Sunbury. He also was a charter member of the Karns City Little League organization. After he stopped playing baseball he became an outstanding golfer winning the Ridgeview Golf Championship in 1942.

Eugene " Pud" Craig:

A 1951 Chicora HS graduate who lettered four years in baseball, and three years in basketball. He went to play for many years in teh Butler Eagle Co Baseball League, the YMCA Basketball League, and several sandlot softball teams. Later he became a avid bowler, fisherman, and hunter.

Ralph " Sonny" Westerman: (Pictured "Far Right"): A dedicated sports man who had walked the walk four times prior to induction into the Butler Co. Sports HOF. He was inducted into Pennsylvania State American Legion Baseball HOF in 1968, the Armstrong County Sports HOF in 1987, The A-K Valley Sports HOF in 1997, and the Kentucky Sports HOF in 2006. He had scouted for the Philadelphia for many years, and was a promoted of local baseball for over 40 years with youth through American Legion age baseball teams in the Freeport area. Hi biggest accomplishment was the formation of the Freeport International Baseball Tournament in 1995. Teams from all over the world have come to Western Pennsylvania to participate in the annual tournament from Australia, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Japan, many US States, and local baseball teams.

Les Shoop: A 1965 graduate of Shannock HS where he lettered three years in basketball. He is still the second leading scorer in the history of the school. He ws named third-team All-State his senior year. Following HS he went on to continue playing basketball at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He lettered all four years at IUP and was named the team captain his senior year. He scored 991 points putting him 7th place all time. After graduation from IUP he launched a a very successful teaching and basketball coaching career starting at Punxsutawney HS where he amassed a record of 212 wins and only 98 losses. He then moved south to take the head coaching position at Knoch HS. His record at Knoch HS was 299 wins and 246 losses. He was named coach of the year several times by both the Butler Eagle,and the Valley News. His 2003 Knoch team reached the WPIAL finals. His teams captured section titles in 1989, 2003, and 2004. Beginning in 1984, eleven of his teams went to the WPIAL playoffs.

Elaine Carson: A 1979 Moniteau HS graduate where she lettered 5 times. Two in basketball, two in golf, and one in volleyball. She was the first girl to play on the golf team at Moniteau. In her two years on the golf team she was in the number one position. IN 1979 she named a high school All-American in golf, and led he team to the District 9 Championship in 1980. For five consecutive years she captured the Butler County Women's championship from 1978 - 1982. In 1979 and 1980 she won the Public Links championship in Pittsburgh both years, and the National Public Links Tournament in Edina, Minnesota in 1979. She won the 1980 Cener Square Golf Club in Philadelphia. Following high school she moved on to Florida State University's Women's Golf Team. She lettered he final three years at FSU. After college she played on teh Women's Professional Tour on the West coast for one season. She won the Professional Tournament at Wedgewood Country Club in Lakeland Florida in 1988.

Jennifer Kopac: A 1989 Knoch HS graduate after an outstanding athlete playing track and volleyball. She lettered four years in volleyball, being named All-Section as a sophomore, All-Section and 3rd team WPIAL, team MVP her junior year, and All-Section her senior year. Her track and field play was efforts were remarkable. In her freshman year she broke the javelin school record and was runner-up in the WPIAL Championships. As a sophomore she won the WPIAL championship, and went on to win the PIAA championship, and was runner-up in the shot put. Her dominance continued her junior year. She won the WPIAL and PIAA championships in the javelin and second in the shot put. As a senior she set several records - setting the WPIAL javelin record with a throw of 165'9", set the Knoch shot put record with a toss of 43'7", and was named to the USA Today All-American Team. In 2006 she was inducted into the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame.She then continued her athletic career at Penn State University where she lettered all four years. Some of her outstanding achievements at Penn State included a four year participate and points winner at the Penn Relays, Dogwood Relays Championship Division in the javelin. She was an All- Big Ten selection for indoor (shot put) and Outdoor Track and Field (javelin).

Matt Clement: A Butler HS graduate lettering two sports, basketball and baseball. The Butler basketball teamshe played on had a record of 79 wins and only 14 losses. he was a member of the 1991 WPIAL championship team. His teams won the section title in both 1991 and 92. He was named to the Class AAAA First Team in 1993, and was selected to play in the Roundball Classic. His senior year post season basketball awards included the Post-Gazette Fab Five All Star Team. He ws offered a basketball scholarship by several colleges including the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesnse University, Robert Morris University, Bucknell, and LaFayette. He also played baseball for the Golden Tornado as a third baseman. He was named a member of the Post Gazette All-Area Team in 1992. The following season he was named to the All WPIAL Class AAA team as a pitcher. He was signed by the San Diego Padres after graduation as a pitcher. He played for the Padres from 1998 to 2000. He moved on to the Florida Marlins for one year.He then signed with the Chicago Cubs from 2002 thru 2004 and then the Boston Red Sox for two more years. He was an All-Star selection in 2005. His overall record in the major leagues was 87 wins and 86 losses with 1,217 strikeouts. Once he finished his professional baseball career,he turned to coaching basketball and has continued as the head coach of the Butler HS boys basketball team.

Mike Sheehy - Mars Eagle County

Dick Day

Pud Craig # 12

Brian Minto: A 1993 Butler HS graduate who lettered three years in football. He was named the Butler High School Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 & 1993. He attended Slippery Rock University after high and then began a successful professional boxing career. Starting in 2004 he defeated Jeremy Bates to win the West Virginia Heavyweight title. He had wins over Vinny Madalone in 2006 and Axel Schultz in 2007 and lost in the WBO Heavyweight title to Luan Krasnigi, and later in 2007 he defeated Byron Polley foro the WBS Federcentio title. InApril of 2008 deended his title against Chad Van Sickle and again in July of 2008 at Pullman Park in Butler, PA, then in November 2008 against Galen Brown, and then in August 2009 he again returned to Pullman Park to fight Donnell Holmes. In October 2010 he defeated Pierre Karman for the WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight title. In 2013 he defeated Shane Cameron for the WBO Oriental Heavyweight title. In 2016 he defeated Andras Csmor at Kelly Automotive PArk which was his last fight. He ended his career with a final record of 42-11 with 27 KO's.

Richard Schnur: He started his baseball career in the East Butler Baseball Association in 1983, starting with Little League through American Legion baseball. 1993 Butler HS graduate who lettered two years in baseball. His junior year he led the team in batting with an average of .349. His senior year his pitching record was 6-1 with a .098 ERA. His batting average was .393, leading the WPIAL with five triples. HE aerned the Outstanding Pitcher Award also his senior year. He went to play baseball at Indiana University fo PA. for four years. He was the team captain his junior and senior years. His collegiate career ERA was 3.35. he earned PSAC 1st Team All- Conference PSAC Pitcher of the Year in 1996, and ABCA All-Region in 1997, and PSAC 1st Team All-Conference . His records are 1st in games pitches with 38, 2nd in games started with 30, and ranks 2nd with 18 complete games, and innings pitched with 196. He also played for various baseball organizations while in college and post college. He played for the Johnstown Knickerbockers, the Kansas Jayhawk League, North Pittsburgh Federation League, and the Saxonburg Eagle County Baseball League on several championship teams. Most recently he has been a school teacher in Florida and has pitched for several NABA Teams including the Pompano Beach Barracudas , the West Palm Beach Hurricanes, and Palm Beach Bums. He also has had a long coaching career with high school teams in South Florida.

Scott Heinauer: He was a Sto Rox HS graduate where he lettered in football and track. He then went on to play football at Thiel College. After his collegiate career was finished he began his longtime coaching career, starting with Trinity HS, then Peters Township. He moved on to Mars HS and started a longtime career at Mars HS as a football coach and athletic director for the past 25 years. He coaching career record at Mars (currently through 2016) was 174-96) and reaching the WPIAL football playoffs 15 times in the past 16 years. For the past two decades he has also served as the Mars School District Athletic Director. Beyond his significant contributions to the Mars School District, he served on the WPIAL & PIAA Board of Control and the WPIAL Track & Field Committee. He also has served as the President of the Northern Association of Northern Football Coaches and the Midwest Athletic Directors Association, he has also served as Vice-President of the WPIAL Athletic Directors Association.

2018:

Sue Parisi: A 1969 Mars HS graduate where she played basketball. She went on to attend Slippery Rock University, earning a degree in Health & Physical Education. In 1975 she started Butler HS girls basketball program playing and exhibition schedule for their first season. Starting in 1976 the team competed in the WPIAL as a section team achieving a record of 9-5. The following 1977 season they improved to 17-4, in 1978 they were 18-2 and in her final coaching season the team record was 23-6 record ending with a four year record of 67-17. Also in 1979 she coached the All-West Team in the Pennsylvania Classic in Harrisburg. The start of the girls basketball program gave numerous girls the opportunity to compete in basketball which enhanced their opportunities to continue to play at the collegiate level. Two of her former players Lisa Zilatone, and Jody Imbrie are also past inductees into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.

Dick Day: A 1941 Karns City HS graduate and played for several county baseball teams from the 1940's era. During time playing for the local Chicora American Legion baseball team for coach Ed Gaisford, and made the Baseball Atlantic All-Star Team in 1941, and he moved on to play for military teams at Eglin Field in Florida, and he also boxed for the base boxing team. In the late 1940's he played for Butler County baseball teams, making several All-Star teams. After baseball he played for 17 years in the Keystone Softball League. He was named Co-MVP of the league in 1959. During that 1959 season he batted .542. He also managed for 15 years in the Keystone League. In 1966 played of O'Briens Plumbing & Heating on the Class A State Championship Team. He retired from softball at age 52. He was also a member of the American Bowling Congress for 40 years and during that time his team won the VFW State Championship in 1986.

Ken Musko: A 1962 Butler HS graduate where he lettered in gymnastics. His outstanding high school career ended in his senior year with an injury that kept him on the sidelines. He earned an athletic scholarship to attend West Virginia University. He returned for three years of competition at WVU helping his team win the Southern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League, and capturing first place on the side horse. He was named team captain of his senior year gymnastics team. After his collegiate career he went on to have a successful teaching career. In 1972 he was nominated as one of Americas Foremost Secondary Education Teacher of the Year Award for the Unique Lifetime Sports Program & Facilities at Knoch Kigh School. He also has had success publishing books and working with Family Television.

Robert "Rob" Fester: A 1983 Mars HS graduate where he lettered for three years in baseball. While at Mars he was named to the All-Section Team in 1983, ,and set a school single season record with nine wins. He is also ranked second in school history in strikeouts and career wins. He went on to pitch at Point Park College, and helped his team make a pair of NAIA College World Series appearances. The Pioneers were ranked third in the nation in 1985, and second in 1986. He was also part of the Point Park team that won a then collegiate record of 37 consecutive games. He pitched in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League - primarily for Mars since 1982 and is till pitching at tis time ( 2020) as part fo 18 League Championships.

Matt Bachman: A 1981 Butler HS graduate where he lettered four years in football. During his four year high school career in football, he earned the Jeff Trimbur Memorial Award in 1979, and named Defensive Player of the Year in 1981. He also was awarded the McDowell Award in 1981. he earned a full football scholarship to Rutgers University in 1982. He went on to letter four years at Rutgers from 1982 - 1986. In 1987 he had a Free Agent tryout with the N.Y. Jets.

T.J. McCance: A 2002 Butler HS graduate who amassed 100 wins as a wrestler for the Golden Tornado. He was the first in program history to do so in 2002. He graduated with a 103-20 career record. He went on to wrestle at Clarion University, where he had a 500 record, and was a three-year starter . He attended a Division I National ranking his final year before a career ending injury. He became a PSAC Scholar Athlete and president of the Clarion University Student Senate his senior year. Also he was named Team Caption of the Wrestling Team his final season.

Michael Sikorski: A 1996 Knoch HS graduate where he lettered two years in baseball.He was selected First Team All-Section in 1995 & 1996. He also was a Butler County American Legion All-Star selection in 1994 and 1995. He on to a collegiate athletic career at Gulf Coast Community College in 1997 and 1998, and then transferred to Slippery Rock University for the seasons lettering at the Rock. He earned All-Star for the 1998 season, and earned First Team All-PSAC and First Team All-Region in 2000. He then earned First Team All-Region again in 2001. During his high school and collegiate career he played from 1995 - 2005 for the Saxonburg entrant in the Butler Eagle County Baseball League helping the team to several season and league championships. He then played inteh Youngstown Adult baseball league and coached high school while teaching at Sharpsville High School. After high school he also signed a professional baseball contract with the Montreal Professional baseball organization.

Jeff Diehl: A 1992 Butler HS graduate who lettered three years in golf. He was a WPIAL Champion and MAC Medalist in 1991. He went to continue his golf career in 1992-19993 and them continued his collegiate career at Penn State University from 1994 - 1997. During his collegaite carer he was an Ohio State Scholar Athlete in the 1992-1993 season. He placed 3rd at the Penn State Loyola Invitational in 1995, and selected All Tournament Selection at the Scorry Duncan Memorial . In 1996 he tied for first at the James Madison Invitational in 1996. In other accomplishments during his competitive golf career - in 1990 he placed second at the AJCA Bluegrass Junior Tournament, and that same year he was WPGA runner-up on the Williamson Cup Team in Ontario. He placed second in 1990 in the Tri-State Junior Tournament. He was a 1991 Medalist in the Keystone Public Golf Association event. He was a an Elks Junior Champion in 1989 and 1990.And was the Armco Junior Junior Club Champion in 1989, and Armco Men's Champion in 1992. 1993, and 1994. He was a PGA Professional at the Oakmont Country Club, and Head Professional at Hamilton Farms Golf Club. He currently represents the Polo Ralph Loren Golf Division.

Tom Schneider: The spent the majority of his adult life working to promote youth baseball in the Zelienople area, and was a huge promoter of Seneca Valley's HS baseball promoting the team and fundraising monies to help build the workout building next to the baseball field for players. He served on the Zelienople Board of Directors for the Zelienople Parks Association for twenty-five years. He was a member of the Zelienople Baseball Association from 1997-2010. He coached the Zelienople entrant in the Butler County American Legion Program for twenty years. HE was President of the Seneca Valley HS Baseball Boosters for eighteen years, and was instrumental in the construction of the Seneca Valley Baseball Building which was named the Tom Schneider Baseball Building. He was also an active fundraiser for the Lions Club, Seneca Valley Basketball and Football Boosters also.