Bill Stanley excelled at one event - and carried it a long way.

A two-time WPIAL and PIAA gymnastics champion on the pommel horse, Stanley has gained induction into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame.

The 1980 Butler graduate will be among the seven inducted at the organization's annual banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Butler Days Inn.

"Statistically, I never knew what my chances were," Stanley said of his induction. "It's quite an honor. I was always hopeful, but I was surprised when they called me."

Stanley became interested in gymnastics as a young boy because his older brother, Bob, was involved in the sport.

"He's four years older than me and I always looked up to him," Stanley said. "I imagine he'll get in (the hall) at some point."

Three gymnastics coaches - Jim Curzi, Dave McKinnis and Steve Heasley - all members of the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame, coached Stanley when he was a developing gymnast.

"They taught me the basics and refined my skills," he said. "I give credit to all three of those guys."

The only freshman on Butler's 1977 squad, Stanley went on to finish fifth in the WPIAL and ninth in the state meet on the pommel horse as a sophomore.

That set up success in his junior and senior seasons. Both years, he won WPIAL and PIAA titles. Stanley was Butler team MVP in 1979 and was undefeated on the pommel horse in 1980.

His exploits earned him a scholarship to Penn State University.

"I had several scholarship offers from Division II and III schools," Stanley said. "When a school the size of Penn State came calling, I had to take it."

And he made the most of it. Stanley won several Gene Whetstone Awards for most outstanding performance at Penn State home meets. Whetstone was a Nittany Lion gymnastics coach.

Stanley placed fourth at the NCAA Championships on the pommel horse as a freshman, achieving All-American status.

Statistically, Stanley was ranked second in the country on the pommel horse as a junior and was ranked first his senior year. But he never won the NCAA title.

"My expectations shot up after my freshman year," Stanley said. "I did well, but never put together the individual performance to win the championship.

"I always fell short in individual national competition. It was always a mistake I made that cost me."

During a team competition nationally televised by CBS Sports in June of 1983, however, Stanley scored a perfect 10.0 on the pommel horse.

"That was probably my biggest individual highlight," he said. "But I always scored well for the team. My coach always emphasized I was a team person."

Stanley claimed first-place medals at numerous collegiate meets during his career, including the Wolverine Invitational, Farmingdale Open and Metro Open.

In international competition, Stanley placed first on the pommel horse when Penn State faced the USSR Collegiate All-Star Team in 1982. He placed second against the Japan All-Star Team in 1983.

After serving as a Penn State gymnastics coaching aide in 1984-85, Stanley went on to become vice-president of information technology for the First National Bank of Slippery Rock, where he worked for 18 years.

He does consultant work today.

"I had opportunities to get into gymnastics coaching, but went in another direction," Stanley said. "I have fond memories of those years."