BUTLER TWP — An athletic committee has been formed by the Butler school board “to bolster and get the most out of those programs,” board president Don Pringle said recently.

Pringle is serving as chairman of the newly formed committee, which includes vice-chair Karen Callihan and fellow board members Bill Halle and Linda Patten.

Butler has not had a formal athletic committee for nearly 15 years.

“Society puts a lot of stress on athletics,” Pringle said. “We’ve got plenty of programs in this district run by quality coaches, volunteers ... lots of good people involved.

“We want to make sure our students are maximizing athletic opportunities offered in Butler. Teams like rifle, bowling, lacrosse ... people may not realize we even have those things.”

While the athletic committee is new and still establishing policy, general plans include assistance in evaluation of coaches and exploring avenues of fundraising.

Pringle said the committee’s purpose is not to hear parental complaints about a coach or program.

“This district already has a policy in place for those situations,” he said. “If a child or parent has an issue with a coach, a sit-down talk with that coach is their first step, followed by meeting with the athletic director, then an administrative member, if satisfaction has not been given.

“The school board — or athletic committee — would be fourth on that list. Ninety-nine percent of those issues are settled long before it gets to that point.”

Pringle said coaches need to be evaluated by more than a won-loss record.

“A coach could have a completely losing season and be the best coach in the world or a horrible coach could lead a team to a state championship,” he said. “The talent of a roster can have plenty to do with either.”

Halle is the president of the Butler Lil’ Tornado youth football organization.

“We’ve had a revolving door of coaches in some sports here — football and soccer as examples — that have impaired success of those programs,” Halle said. “Besides wins and losses, those revolving doors can hamper the ability of an athlete to use that sport toward furthering education in college.

“Too often, coaching fates are decided over hot-topic issues in an emotion-filled room. All coaches make mistakes at times. All people do. Coaches need time to develop their skills and the skills of the staff.

“Speaking personally, I know I’m a much better coach than I was 30 years ago,” Halle added.

Halle suggested the opening of naming rights for all of the athletic facilities at Butler.

“Budgets continue to be cut and in some cases, kids who need the structure of an athletic program the most aren’t able to participate as a result,” he said.

Pringle concurred.

“We’re in a financial crunch,” Pringle said. “If we can find sponsors willing to contribute via naming rights, we need to explore that.

“In these economic times, maybe nothing’s out there in that sense. But we wouldn’t be serving the public if we didn’t at least look at it.”

Pringle referred to an indoor bubble in the North Allegheny School District that enables athletes to practice their respective sports year-round.

“Baierl Automotive sponsored and paid for that bubble and has its name tied into it,” Pringle said. “Taxpayers there didn’t pay a dime.

“Why can’t something like that happen here?”

If a Butler athletic facility already has a name — such as football’s Art Bernardi Stadium — a would-be sponsor’s name would merely be added to it.

Pringle said that “no name is coming off anything.”

Any raising of funds through theser potential projects would benefit Butler athletics in general, as well as the school’s marching band.

“Our band couldn’t make a couple of football road trips last year because of budget restraints,” Pringle said.

Butler athletic director Bill Mylan favors the return of the athletic committee.

“It’s a forum to discuss facilities, uniforms and ways to improve things like that,” Mylan said. “It’s a structured way to review any athletic concerns in the district.”

Pringle is meeting with Butler High School coaches to learn more about the individual programs.

Head football coach Clyde Conti met with him recently.

“It was more of a get-together, really,” Conti said. “It was a positive experience. I like people who want to sit down and communicate.

“He (Pringle) supports our program and what we’re trying to do. I appreciate that.”

Conti said he wants to establish a football clinic in Butler for grades 3-6 and hopes to hold a clinic with the Butler Area Midget Football League coaches as well.

“We’re working with the board to get things done,” Conti said. “And I like the idea of varsity players working with young kids.”

Athletic committee meetings will take place following the completion of each school board meeting. The next athletic committee meeting is set for Feb. 13 at approximately 8:30 p.m.

“These will be open meetings with coaches and the general public encouraged to attend,” Pringle said. “We have an open mind on everything and we’re anxious to hear feedback.

“The No. 1 item here is that we’re trying to help kids.”