BUTLER TWP — And then there were 400.

The Butler County Sports Hall of Fame membership swelled to that number at the organization's 54th annual induction banquet Saturday night at the Butler Days Inn.

More than 300 people filled the room to honor the Class of 2019.

“This is our largest induction class ever,” BCSHOF president Dan Cunningham said.

Ten individuals — Mike King, Dan Codispot, Carla Wetzel Patarini, Chase Rowe, Rob Voltz, Lyneil Mitchell, Troy Mohney, Dick Swartzlander, Lew Liparulo and the late Bob Cowoski — were inducted along with the 1991 WPIAL champion Butler boys basketball team.

“This whole thing got started in 1966 when a group of businessmen decided to honor (longtime major league umpire) Eddie Vargo before he left town,” Cunningham said of the Hall of Fame. “It's grown tremendously through the years.

“We recognize athletes from all corners of the county.”

The Hall includes numerous sports as well. On Saturday night alone, football, baseball, golf, soccer, basketball, volleyball, wrestling and auto racing were recognized.

Bob Cowoski's son, Chris, spoke on his father's behalf. Knoch graduate and La Roche College baseball coach Chase Rowe was unable to attend as his team was playing a doubleheader in New York.

All of the other inductees were in attendance. Mark Jula, head coach of the 1991 Butler basketball team, spoke about his squad.

“I've been coaching basketball for 38 years at seven different schools and I've kept a list of the 10 hardest working players I've ever coached,” Jula said. “Five were on that Butler team in 1991.

“When you look at the talent level of our players, and how hard they worked ... It was really easy to coach those guys. They say a great coach can change a life. Those guys changed my life. I learned more from that team than it's ever learned from me.”

Dan Heiman was point guard of that team and is now a professor at North Texas State. Unable to attend the banquet, he gave Jula a few words to say about the team.

“Danny said that conditioning, execution, defense and desire were why we won,” Jula said. “We were always in better shape and we outworked our opponent.”

Bob Cupp served as master of ceremonies at the banquet. He described Bob Cowoski as having “an infectious personality” and added that “legacies like his are built and earned.”

Following are other notable comments made during the course of the evening:

Chris Cowoski on his father: “Dad would have been 81 tomorrow (Sunday). What a birthday present! He loved competition and he loved family. And he loved this Hall of Fame. He cherished this time of year.

“He was a great softball player and an even better umpire. And he said that 1991 team defined a new era in Butler basketball.”

Mike King: “Nobody goes into a Hall of Fame as an individual. You go into a Hall of Fame as a team. Team Cowoski is here. So is my team. This award wouldn't mean much without all of you.

“I played with the best guys and the best coaches. I could never throw a football or sink a shot in basketball. No way do I get here by myself.”

Dan Codispot: “I never expected anything like this. I have to thank my family and the group I grew up with on Institute Hill, playing midget football all the way up to high school with those guys.”

Carla Wetzel Patarini: “Honors like this are a reflection of your team. I had good people to play with. My dad drove me all over the place to practices while my brother was still playing as well. My father is kind of my hero.”

Rob Voltz: “I didn't know anything about golf when I was little. All I know is my Dad and brothers hopped in the car to go play and left me behind. I just wanted to be in that car.

“Everyone talks in golf about your dream foursome, What would it be? I got to live mine when I played a round of golf in Maryland with my father and my two sons. That's a memory I will cherish forever.”

Lyneil Mitchell: “I was in the right place at the right time. I started wrestling at Butler in 1994 and the program only started there in 1992. Coach (Scott) Stoner was always ahead of the curve. He showed me that if you do the right things, with hard work, it will pay off.”

Troy Mohney: “High school soccer helped to shape my future. The relationships I have through soccer are wonderful gifts.”

Dick Swartzlander: “One day, I think I was having a mild heart attack and went to the hospital to get checked out. I explained I couldn't stay, I had to go racing that night. They wanted to keep me, but I got out of there.

“I was late for dinner and told my wife I had to work late. I changed clothes and set a track record that night. I didn't know if it was the pills they gave me that made me go faster or what.

“We didn't have seat belts or helmets back in the day. We put a hankie over our face and raced in a t-shirt. Things were different then.”

Lew Liparulo: “To get a lifetime achievement award, you have to be old. I passed that qualification. Most coaches come and go. I lasted.

“The people you have to have allegiance to are your coaching staff. I've had an assistant, John Aggas, with me for 17 years. Not many coaches can say that. And I've been lucky to work in a school district that supports athletics.”