BUTLER TWP — Butler graduates Gary Archer, Paul Frenchak and Paul “Bud” Herrit aren't football players.

For more than 30 years, however, the trio has played a major role in the sport at Art Bernardi Stadium.

Archer, 77, has been a member of the “chain gang” at Butler for 37 years. Frenchak, 75, has been on the crew for 34 years and Herrit, 68, has been part of the group for 32 seasons.

But no more.

The Golden Tornado's final home game recently against Hempfield marked the final time they will work the chains on the sidelines.

“It's going to be different,” Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said of next football season. “Finding people to work the chains has never been anything I've had to worry about.

“Those guys have been so dependable. They've been supportive of the program and they care about the sport. Their tenure here has been pretty special.”

Age and health issues are the prime reasons the troop has decided to pass the chains on to someone else.

“It's time,” Frenchak said. “This has been the best seat in the house, but it's time to give it up.”

“It's just getting too hard to physically do it anymore,” Archer admitted. “I'll tell you what, though ... I'm gonna miss it.”

Herrit decided to walk away because his partners are doing so.

“I always figured when those guys gave it up, I'd bow out with them,” he said. “We're a team.”

Archer began working the chains through John Graham, who was part of the chain gang before him.

“His daughter worked with my brother,” Archer said. “John said they needed a guy one night and I volunteered.

“I enjoyed it and came back. After a while, I got stuck on it. Paul and I were friends and he joined us a couple of years later.”

Herrit said he was a football fan for years before joining the chain gang.

“It's been fun being right on top of everything, actually playing a part of the game,” he said. “I've relished that experience.”

With the chains being along the visiting team's sideline, this group got to hear a lot of strategy from legendary coaches.

Frenchak considered that a privilege.

“Jack McCurry, Jim Rankin, Jim Render ... We've stood right next to them all through the years,” he said. “Listening to those guys coach was an education.”

The three weren't limited to working home games. They would attend Butler games on the road and filled in there when needed.

“We'd be in the stands and would find out they needed somebody to help out at the last minute. Next thing you know, we were out there,” Herrit said, laughing.

Archer, Frenchak and Herrit always got along with everyone on the sidelines — except once.

“We yelled that an official missed a call and the coach on the sidelines told us to shut up,” Frenchak said, smiling. “It was the one time we got caught up in the game.

“From then on, we kept our mouths shut.”

And quietly did much-appreciated work for years.

“We're gonna miss those guys,” Mylan said.