A strong tradition and a bright future — both certainly apply when it comes to the Butler County Soccer Association.

Having recently wrapped up its 46th year, youth players continue to benefit from their involvement in BCSA.

The association, which includes a spring and fall season for ages 5-18 as well as training camps and tournaments in the summer, included nearly 500 players in 2021.

“It's a bridge for players to get the experience needed to develop and reach more competitive levels and they really learn to love the game,” said president Colin Leyland, a former BCSA player who also coaches two teams in the association. “It's a fantastic program for kids of all ages.”

Getting started

Soccer is a very successful sport in Butler County. One need only look at the accomplishments of both youth and high school teams within its borders to realize that.

But in the mid-1970s, the sport had no organized presence here. A few people aimed to change that.

Robin McKee and Tucker Campion, who had both graduated from Slippery Rock State College, made the initial effort to gauge local interest in the sport, holding a 3-week camp/clinic at the Lyndora gym in 1976. By the third week, 70 kids were showing up.

The association was allowed to use the Butler Athletic Field off of East Cunningham Street. Jeff Schnur, who would later coach Butler's varsity boys team from 1983 to 1993 and remains on BCSA's board of directors, joined McKee and Campion and the trio set out to prepare the venue for play, which included constructing goals and consistently mowing and lining the field. That first year included two age groups — U12 and over-13.

After just one season, BCSA moved to Father Marinaro Park and joined the American Youth Soccer Association.

“That move showed us how to conduct an organization,” Schnur said. “It was a big step for us to join a national association.”

This growth would lead to the election of officers.

Games and practices were moved to the Butler Farm Show grounds in 1980.

“Our numbers had grown tremendously and we wanted a place to call our own,” said Schnur. “We had 1,200 or more kids for a lot of years. We joined PA West Soccer in the mid-1980s and that gave us more opportunities to play other local teams.”

As early as 1984, BCSA had begun to seek a permanent home. In 1986, 22 acres of land were purchased along Palmer Road in Center Township.

A site had been obtained, but making it suitable for soccer would require the time and effort of many people.

A new home

The Otterson family of Butler became involved with BCSA when John and Marcie's eldest son, Andrew, picked up soccer at the age of five in 1983. His younger brothers, Ben and Erinn, soon followed in his footsteps.

The late John Otterson became instrumental in turning the property in Center Township into the association's new home.

“John had a degree in landscape architecture from Penn State,” said Marcie, who worked in publicity for BCSA. “He designed the layout of the fields and helped to build them.

“Anything they needed help with, he never questioned it and did whatever he could. He refereed games and I coached in the association for over a decade. He was a very selfless person and loved the game.”

Many others joined in the construction of the fields, which began in 1987. The group included Brent Ohl, Tom Munko and John Beall, among others.

“Those four guys worked tirelessly to get the complex built,” said Schnur. “Fundraisers were held to raise money to pay for everything, including the property,” said Schnur. “It truly was a community-based enterprise to accomplish this.”

Soccer created lifelong bonds from those involved with BCSA. So, too, did the work and effort it took to make the complex in Center Township a reality.

“When people showed up to work on the fields, whole families would come and we'd turn it into a picnic,” added Marcie. “We had the right group of people at the right time.”

The fields were open for play in 1989 and have been BCSA's home ever since.

This past summer, the venue hosted a “Glory on the Grass” tournament. The event, which included 40 teams, most of them from the Greater Pittsburgh area, was a hit and efforts are being made to bring it back next year.

“It's a beautiful place and it's still growing,” Schnur said. “It's great to see it still maintained.”

Lasting legacy

BCSA has had a positive effect on soccer in the county beyond its own ranks.

It was a key factor in Butler High School adding varsity soccer for boys and girls in the early 1980s.

Players from all over the county joined the association in its early years. This involvement led to the formation of soccer associations in the Slippery Rock and South Butler school districts.

The Karns City area, which began sending players to BCSA in the 1980s, still has a healthy presence in the association.

Leyland and his wife, Bree, are both Karns City High graduates who played for BCSA. They were part of the first wave of varsity players to come through the school district in the 1990s.

“(BCSA) provided kids from our area a place to play soccer,” said Colin. “It led to Karns City forming boys and girls teams, first at the club level and then as full-fledged high school teams.”

BCSA, which currently includes over 70 volunteer coaches, operates with the belief that soccer can and should be self-promoting: Getting kids on the field is the only true way to foster a passion for the sport.

In age levels under U8, the association has no set teams and play is based strictly on the development of the players. Rosters are fluid and games are set up weekly to provide equal competition.

In-house (ages 5-15) and travel (up to age 18) teams assure boys and girls players of varying skill levels all have a place within BCSA.

Colin and Bree Leyland have three children — Lucia, Jules and Kian — and each of them are playing within the association.

“They've had a fantastic time,” Colin said.

BCSA is closing in on five decades of teaching soccer and elevating the sport within the minds of local youths.

“It's the philosophy of the organization, which is centered on kids,” said Schnur. “Our association has been able to maintain its focus on the children. They are treated well and they are taught a game they can love.”