The Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame is alive and well — as the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.

The organization's board of directors have decided to change its name in time for the 45th annual induction banquet, slated for April 24 at the Butler Days Inn.

"There was always some confusion in the past about who exactly we represent," board member Ed Wadding said. "This will remove all doubt."

Another change coming to the county Hall of Fame this year is the addition of a team recognition award. The Hall has only inducted individuals over its first 44 years.

Just like individual resumes are welcome from the public for HOF consideration, team resumes will be welcome as well.

"This won't be limited to great high school teams over the years, though they will be included," HOF publicist Dan Cunningham said. "There have been great YMCA teams in various sports, Butler Cubs teams, Eagle County baseball, Slippery Rock University, Butler County Community College ... any outstanding team will be considered."

Members of the honored team will receive certificates and one rpresentative of the team will speak on its behalf at the banquet.

The HOF Committee has elected to honor the 1950 Butler football WPIAL championship team with its debut award this year.

"This marks the 60th anniversary of that tremendous team, so we think it's appropriate to recognize them," Cunningham said.

Former HOF board member Walter Lonchena, 77, a starting center-linebacker for thatsquad, will speak on behalf of the team.

"It's a long time coming and it's quite an honor," Lonchena said. "Unfortunately, some of the guys from that team won't be around to enjoy it."

Lonchena estimates 21 of the 35 players on that 1950 team are alive today. Many of them live outside of the area.

"They had no playoffs back then and Butler was one of three undefeated teams in the WPIAL entering that final week," Lonchena recalled. "We played Penn Township (now Penn Hills) in a monsoon on Friday and won 12-0.

"The other two unbeaten teas played Saturday and lost. That gave us the championship."

Butler victories in 1950 were 40-7 over Kittanning, 25-14 over Peabody, 32-6 over Grove City, 19-7 over Har-Brack, 24-6 over Beaver Falls, 32-13 over Sharon, 33-0 over Vandergrift, 32-14 over Mt. Lebanon and 12-0 over Penn Township.

Outstanding players on that team included quarterback Dave Reed, running backs Joe Monteleone and Vince Seezox, twins Tom (tackle) and Bill (halfback) Pickett.

"Most of us played both ways in those days," Lonchena said. "Dave was a very intelligent quarterback who could roll out and know when to run with or throw the ball."

Seven individuals — one deceased, two each from three different eras — will also be inducted at the April 24 fete. Their names, along with ticket outlets, are yet to be announced.

Tickets to the banquet are $20. Tickets and information on how to submit an individual or team resume for consideration by the HOF are available at www.bcshof.com.