First comment today is to clarify that Tornado as in Butler Golden Tornado is singular. It represents a unified existence as opposed to many little storms that could make up a smaller weather concern, but not massive tornado, in destruction.

Another thought as the fortunes of the local Tornado football spin slowly to a stop would be an opportunity to recall a famous, motivational football movie about a team called the Titans.

The movie is “Remember The Titans.” It tells the story of two vastly different high school teams that against their wishes were forced to merge into one program, and the many obstacles the players, coaches and community had to overcome. One of the possible problems they could have encountered would have been a lack of players. That wasn’t the case.

Instead, they faced communication problems, most of which revolved around racism and hatred, tradition and entitlement.

While recognizing the seriousness of Butler High School’s issues, we must say the issues the Titans faced were far more daunting. Two schools were being forced to desegregate and ordered to close one school district and merge it into another amid racist cultures on both sides.

Today, we are supposed to be better and no longer have issues spurred only by the color of one’s skin. Yet, we expect this editorial will move many to have to re-examine their hearts and thoughts to decide if we are still in the 1950s.

Butler has reached the conclusion that the only way to solve the problems that surround the football program is to drop its WPIAL competition and find some easier teams to compete with next year.

The two most-named problems are a lack of players coming out for football and the mentality that three decades of losing has brought to a once proud program.

Only one can be solved at a time, and there is an answer to it. The answer will require acceptance and tolerance on the part of parents and administrators.

Butler High School and Summit Academy should become the 2020 version of the Titans.

Summit Academy resides in the Butler Area School District. Summit Academy’s roster would double the size of Butler’s current roster.

True, most of the players are assigned to the academy for only one year and then, hopefully, return to their homes. That would make special challenges for the coaching staff just as the merger of the Titans did.

Look at the other benefits besides numbers. How much more would both groups learn about diversity and not by being forced through desegregation? Consider the opportunities that many of the young men assigned to Summit have never been afforded, such as the first-class amenities available to the Butler program.

Certainly, someone is going to raise the issue of behavioral problems of some of the students at Summit. We know there will be some difficult issues, but this is still a viable solution that hasn’t been discussed or considered.

It would allow the team to play home games, which will otherwise be sparse with an independent schedule. Other schools are going to be willing to play Butler, but only if Butler comes to them. How many fans are going to travel to Erie or Wheeling and what makes anyone think we can win there?

This alternative keeps the local kids playing local games. This alternative gives the numbers of which they are short. This alternative gives a group of young men at Summit a real chance to compete, train and learn. This gives both groups a real look at diversity and how the real world has to learn to live.

If Butler can embrace this idea and make it work, they will have become winners in life; sports will have far less meaning. But most likely, the lessons learned will also translate to positive things in the community and the athletic fields.

Remember the Titans and Remember the Tornado.