BUTLER TWP — The Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame membership stands at 36 — and counting.

This year’s inductees — Troy Nunes, Meghan Schnur, Bill Rettig, Terry Rettig, Lisa Zitalone Olsen and the late Mike Surkalo — joined the Hall during an intimate ceremony last weekend in the high school cafeteria.

“This is a group of people who have made history in Butler High School athletics,” HOF committee chairperson Brian Slamecka said. “We honor their commitment, sacrifice and dedication.”

Nunes was named Butler football Offensive Player of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He received the Larry George Memorial Scholarship in football, Ed Hartman Memorial Award in track and field, Billy Kummer Award in basketball.

He went on to play in three bowl games as quarterback at Syracuse University.

“An individual can only accomplish his goals through the efforts of many,” Nunes said. “For all who helped me, I really appreciate it.”

Zitalone Olsen played basketball and volleyball at Butler from 1974-78. She was the first Golden Tornado girls basketball player to score 1,000 points.

A high school MVP in both sports, Zitalone Olsen is also a member of the California (Pa.) UIniversity Hall of Fame.

“It’s nice to receive this honor ion front of my children,” she said. “Sports were always big in my family. My grandfather played games with us in the yard right up until supper time.

“Hopefully, I paved the way for some other young girls who learned that they can compete like boys.”

Bill and Terry Rettig were stalwarts on powerful Butler football teams in the early 1960’s. They were the first two 1,000-yard rushers in Golden Tornado history.

Bill Rettig went on to play college ball at Penn State, Terry to Vanderbilt. Both were linebackers. Bill Rettig missed the induction ceremony due to illness.

“It’s incredible when I look back at this journey,” Terry Rettig said. “So many people have influenced me over the past 66 years.

“From the Penn Street Cardinals on up, the community supported all of the programs I was involved in. Bill was a scholastic All-American, a tremendous role model to me and to a lot of kids.”

While at Vanderbilt, Terry Rettig played on a team that upset undefeated Alabama. He also intercepted a pass thrown by eventual NFL quarterback Archie Manning.

Schnur’s soccer resume is well-decorated, from playing in PIAA and NCAA championship games to competing for the U.S. women’s national team.

“The teams I played on at Butler became a sisterhood,” she said. “For 10 years, we played either travel ball or on the high school team together.

“I have to thank my dad (Jeff Schnur), Mr. (Bob) Lowry, my high school coach, Mrs. (Marlene) Peoples, who put up with a lot of crap from us.”

Surkalo was sports editor of the Butler Eagle for 39 years and was selected to the Hall of Fame for his contributions to Butler athletics.

His daughter, Jeanne Grupp, accepted on his behalf.

“My father may not be here in body, but he’s definitely here in spirit,” Grupp said. “He never missed a Friday night football game in Butler.

“He always had fond memories of his years here. He was a walking encyclopedia for sports.

“It’s nice that people around here still appreciate him to this day,” she added.

BUTLER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2010

Matt Clement, Leatha Dudeck Baker, Terry Hanratty, Eric Namesnik, David Pichler, Rich Saul, Ron Saul, Bill Saul, Annessa Schnur, John Stuper, Art Bernardi, Paul Uram

2011

Bill Erdos, Ed Hartman, Wendy Brink Jilson, Scott Milanovich, Beverly Fry Plocki, Roger Puz, Jodie Imbrie Smith, Erin Ward Witman, David Barnes

2012

Eric Hohn, George Kelly, Jeff McAnallen, Bill McElroy, Curt Schnur, Peter Steenbergen, Tom Turner, Mickey Uram, Steve Heasley

2013

Troy Nunes, Meghan Schnur, Bill Rettig, Terry Rettig, Lisa Zitalone Olsen, Mike Surkalo