McCance proud to be a wrestler
This is the first in a series of articles profiling the 2018 inductees into the Butler County Sports Hall of FameBUTLER TWP — When T.J. McCance reached 100 career wins as a Butler High School wrestler, he was the first in program history to do so.That was in 2002. Nine Butler wrestlers are part of the school's 100-win club now.“And seven of them have passed me up,” said McCance, who graduated with a 103-20 career record.“I love that. I'm proud of being the first one to 100, but I'm more proud of how many kids have excelled in the program since. If I had a small part in promoting awareness of the sport, that's enough for me.”But he's gotten much more.McCance was inducted into the Butler Area School District Hall of Fame in 2015. He will be inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame during the organization's annual banquet at 6 p.m. April 28 at the Lyndora American Legion Hall.McCance is the first high school wrestler to join the county HOF. Seneca Valley wrestling coach Ken Lockey was inducted in 1993.“I'm equally excited to be inducted into both of them,” McCance said. “It's a great feeling and it's another opportunity to thank all of the people who have made such a positive impact on my life.”While McCance won 103 matches in high school, that number could have soared higher had it not been for a number of assorted injuries.Butler wrestling coach Scott Stoner recalled McCance winning a section tournament title his junior year “with virtually one arm.”“He had a torn ligament in his elbow which was very painful for him,” Stoner said. “But T.J. was in a class by himself in terms of toughness.”McCance said that toughness came from his love for the sport and fear of losing.“I was always afraid to fail,” he said. “The wrestling room was always like my sanctuary. The qualities you need to compete in wrestling help carry you through life.
“When you lose a match, shake hands with your opponent and watch as his hand is raised above you ... You learn things about yourself.“I was raised to have a toughness about myself, not to make excuses,” McCance added.McCance went on to wrestle at Clarion University, where I “was basically a .500 wrestler” and a three-year starter. He attained a Division I national ranking his final year before an injury ended his career.“I was really looking forward to that season. Then I blew out my knee and that was it,” he said.He did become a PSAC Scholar Athlete and was president of the Clarion University Student Senate his senior year. McCance was also selected as team captain for his final season.“He was very intense in everything he did,” Stoner said. “T.J. never looked at himself as an underdog in any way.“He's gone on to become a good family man and successful in business. He came back to help coach with us for a while and he's mentored youth wrestlers in Butler. To this day, T.J. calls me Coach and a friend and I'm very proud of that.”McCance is a financier with Hefron-Tillotson today. He and wife Halee will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this summer. They have a 5-year-old son, Isaac, who enjoys baseball and gymnastics.“He's already a gym rat,” McCance said. “He keeps us hopping, that's for sure.”Tickets to the BCSHOF banquet are available at Moses Jewelers at the Clearview Mall, Snack n' Pack in Butler, Saxonburg Drug, Parker's Appliance in Chicora and Maddalon Jewelers in Zelienople.
