BUTLER TWP — In a gym he used to call home, Mark Jula remembered his basketball family in Butler.

Every last one of them.

While accepting induction into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame prior to Friday night's Ambridge-Butler game, the former Golden Tornado coach rattled off the name of every player he coached here.

“I can't forget a one,” he said. “They're the reason I'm standing here right now.

“I've had the privilege of coaching in two of the most athletic towns in Western Pennsylvania — here in Butler and now at my alma mater, Ambridge.”

Jula, 63, coached at Butler from 1987 through 1993, compiling a 136-34 overall record, a 78-10 section mark, four consecutive section titles and the school's lone WPIAL boys basketball championship. The latter occurred in 1991.

“If I've ever had a more supportive booster club than I had in Butler, I can't find it,” Jula said. “The entire community supported us all the time, every game.”

The community supported him on this night as well.

As Jula walked across the court to accept his Hall of Fame plaque from HOF committee chairman Brian Slameca and athletic director Bill Mylan, he received a standing ovation from a big crowd.

The Ambridge and Butler teams stood in a line along the end of their respective sides of the court and applauded as well.

Jula received a second ovation after he finished addressing the crowd through the public address system.

“That 1991 team ... I gained 25 pounds, have no hair, I'm wearing glasses, they wore me down .... those kids gave everything they had to this school,” Jula said.

“For me personally, this is a special night, second to none. Man, we had great times here.”