September brings the end of summer and the brunt of the high school fall sports season.

It also means tradition at both Seneca Valley and Mars high schools as both induct their athletic hall of fame class this month every year.

The event at Mars occurred Sept. 6 while Seneca Valley welcomed its new members last weekend.

Other schools in Butler County have a hall of fame devoted to former sports stars, including Butler, Knoch and Slippery Rock. I personally deal with the ones at Seneca Valley and Mars and they have accounted for some of the most interesting stories/interviews I've had the opportunity to pursue.

I've come across a lot of names from both schools over the years, whether it was through searching our archives or perusing an athletic program's record book for details for a story I was working on.

It's enjoyable to speak with these people when they are selected to the hall of fame. I finally get to fill in the blanks, get the story in their own words instead of just recognizing a name.

The inductees live throughout the country. Some remain close, while others reside in places like Florida, Texas and Hawaii.

Last Friday, I attended Seneca Valley's Hall of Fame reception prior to the football game. One of the people I spoke with was Tom Kobet, who was going in as a member of the 1974-75 boys swimming and diving team. He lives in Michigan and had not been back to his alma mater since the day he graduated 44 years ago.

He returned to the area here and there to visit family, but never had a reason to come to Seneca Valley. The hall of fame afforded him that opportunity.

Needless to say, Kobet did not recognize his surroundings Friday. The school he graduated from was small, but has grown into one of the biggest schools in western Pennsylvania. Seneca Valley now sits on grounds that resemble a small college campus.

These hall of fame stories and gatherings give people a chance to reminisce and I feel privileged to be involved with them.

The Seneca Valley Sports Hall of Fame has announced that four graduates have, in effect, been inducted, but a ceremony honoring them will not be held until after their professional athletic careers have concluded. They include Don Barclay (football), Brandon Fusco (football), Roberta (Pickens) Groner (track) and Kevan Smith (baseball).

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle