Tom Menchyk

Eagle sports editor John Enrietto recently caught an angle of local high school sports many spectators might not have noticed.

Tom Menchyk, 74, ended a 47-year run of filming Golden Tornado sporting events when he did not return for Butler football this year.

For much of his eagle-eyed career, Menchyk captured for the record events all over the world of Butler high school athletics.

In the late 1970s, then Butler assistant coach Gary Milanovich asked Menchyk if he’d be interested in filming football games.

“It looked like fun, so I figured I’d give it a try,” Menchyk said.

He soon took on filming more games and more athletic events.

“For years, I was out four nights a week, filming a game somewhere,” Menchyk said. “For a number of years, I was filming 200 Butler sporting events a year.”

Countless games, players and coaches later, Menchyk says it was never his intention to hold this position for 47 years, but by the time he realized what was happening, he planned to stick it out for 50.

However, he said he had to step away earlier due to health concerns.

That’s dedication.

His dedication wasn’t only to sports. He was also a teacher in the district for 30 years.

What’s more, Menchyk can’t stay away.

“If they ever need someone to pinch-hit, to film a game at the last minute or something … If they call me and I’m feeling up to it, I’ll still do it,” he said.

That is undying dedication.

That is what it looks like to give something a try and stick with it.

We at the Eagle wish Tom Menchyk all the best. We’re sure our team will be seeing him at a game soon.

– RJ