True hero's welcome for ex-coaches
BUTLER TWP — Two people who started something special received a special night of their own.
Former Butler High School head coach Garry Cathell and his defensive coordinator, Ralph McElhaney — founders of the Butler Football Hometown Hero program — were honored by that organization recently.
Cathell and McElhaney were recognized as the Co-Butler Football Hometown Heroes of the Year prior to the Seneca Valley-Butler game at Art Bernardi Stadium.
“I still know a lot of people in this community and I have a lot of friends here,” said Cathell, who coached at Butler from 2002-06. “I was part of some good football games up here.
“This award means a lot to me.”
Cathell is retired from a 33-year high school football coaching career and lives in Elizabeth. He remains executive director of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association.
“I have great memories here,” Cathell said. “And Butler has some great football tradition. We wanted to recognize that tradition, which is why we started this program.”
Former professional boxer Brian Minto is a Butler graduate and former Golden Tornado linebacker who was coached by McElhaney.
Minto received a Career Achievement Award from the Hometown Hero program in 2016. He is one of 58 individuals to receive Hometown Hero awards since the program made its debut in 2004.
“Ralph has had a tremendous influence on my life,” Minto said. “He's got a lot of moral character and is just a good guy. He deserves this.”
McElhaney is a 1976 Butler graduate and a former defensive end for the Golden Tornado. He spent 34 years as an assistant high school grid coach, getting his start under Bob Conklin at Moniteau.
Conklin was among many of McElhaney's former mentors and players on hand for the ceremony in the high school cafeteria to see McElhaney receive his award.
“I was only 21 or 22 when Coach Conklin gave me that opportunity,” McElhaney recalled. “I used to play for him at East Butler. There are so many people in this room I'm grateful to have known.
“I feel very blessed right now.”
McElhaney is best friends with fellow former Butler assistant Hank Leyland, who was recognized as Hometown Hero of theYear in 2017.
“I started at Butler as an assistant under Art Bernardi in 1982 and Hank started in 1984,” McElhaney said. “We've been through so much together through the years.
“I'm proud of so many guys I've coached, not because of what they did on the football field, but for maturing and growing into responsible men and good family people. That's what I cared about.”
First-year Butler coach Eric Christy is McElhaney's nephew. Cathell supports the new Tornado coach as well.
“We have good leadership in him,” Cathell said. “Eric will do a nice job. He'll build a program here.”
