This is the sixth in a series of seven articles profiling the 2005 inductees into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Eagle Sports Editor

Ray Prokopchak's football career began in an unlikely place: the military.

The 1951 Butler graduate was an outstanding basketball player in high school, leading the Golden Tornado in scoring his junior and senior years and being named all-section during his final season.

"I never played football in high school," Prokopchak said. "I went out for the team as a 120-pound freshman and didn't make it.

"I got cut because of my weight, not because of my ability. Coach (A.G.) Capezzuti wanted me to come out as a sophomore, but I figured I was too small."

Upon graduation, Prokopchak enlisted in the Air Force. He wound up serving 25 months in Germany, made the 12th Air Force all-star football team both years and was assigned to special services.

"I basically became a military athlete," Prokopchak said. "I was an engine mechanic, but was released from that duty to entertain the troops through sports."

Now he's becoming a member of the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame. Prokopchak is one of seven who will be inducted at the Hall's annual banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Butler Days Inn.

"I left Butler before the Hall of Fame was even formed," Prokopchak said. "When I was back visiting a few years ago, some buddies asked me if I ever filled out an application for it. I didn't know what they were talking about.

"They sent me a form, I filled it out and sent it in. When I got the call … It was wonderful."

Prokopchak played split end and kicker for the Neuiberg Air Force Base football team in Germany and was named his team's Most Valuable Player in 1956.

"We played a nine-game schedule, traveling around to play other base teams," he said. "It was pretty good football."

It was good enough to impress Arizona State University, which offered Prokopchak a chance to play football once he got out of the service.

A concussion he suffered during his sophomore year at Arizona State ended Prokopchak's football career. While in the Air Force, he also played center field for his base's baseball team.

While he shined in football, Prokopchak lists his greatest athletic accomplishment as a basketball player. He was selected to play for the Butler YMCA team in the national YMCA tournament in 1952 and 1953.

"They only took the best basketball players around to play on that team and we had quite a team," he recalled. "We played against Wilt Chamberlain in North Carolina in 1953."

Prokopchak has lived in Tempe, Ariz., since graduating from Arizona State in 1961. He was a junior high school teacher for 28 years.

He coached junior high basketball and baseball for six years.

"I wanted to enter the teaching field because it was always my ambition to be a coach," Prokopchak said. "Working with young kids is like taking a budding flower and watching it bloom into a full-pedaled rose.

"I never cared about our won-loss record. It was the kids' attitude toward the game and working with each individual that I enjoyed."

Prokopchak had two children - Ray and Deanna - get involved in sports in high school. His son played football and basketball while his daughter was a cheerleader, gymnast and ran track.

"Sports have been a big part of my family's life," Prokopchak said.