45 years and counting
CHERRY TWP — Art Monteleone prefers to stay in the background.
Prior to the Moniteau girls basketball game Friday night, the 70-year-old official was pushed into the spotlight.
Monteleone received a plaque commemorating 45 years of service as a football and basketball official.
Ray Melder, president of the Butler Chapter of Officials, worked Friday’s game with Monteleone and made the presentation. Former Moniteau athletic director Jim Metz, current A.D. John Stoughton and school superintendent George Svolos were also on hand.
“I was in shock, really,” Monteleone said. “I didn’t see that coming. It was really nice for them to do that.
“It felt strange hearing so much clapping ... Usually, people are hollering at the ref.”
Monteleone primarily works games at Butler, Moniteau and Karns City these days. He does venture into Pittsburgh and New Castle every now and then.
While he doesn’t travel as much anymore, he still gets out quite a bit.
Monteleone worked 28 games in the month of December alone this season.
“I like to stay around here anymore,” he said. “I used to go all over the place. It’s easy to pile up the games.
“I may work two or three games at Butler Catholic in the afternoon, or do a Butler Junior High game, then go up to the high school for a varsity game ... They add up fast.”
Monteleone has worked everything from grade school games up to the Harlem Globetrotters, though he has never worked a college game.
A few years ago, Monteleone averaged donning the striped shirt for 300 basketball games a season.
He got into officiating at age 25, when he was coaching in the Butler Area Midget Football League.
“There was always a shortage of officials working our games — maybe one or two of them — so I asked the other coaches one day if they’d mind if I helped out. That’s how I got started.”
He has no plans on finishing anytime soon.
“I do it for the kids,” Monteleone said. “I’ve been involved with sports all of my life and I love being around them. I’ve enjoyed the relationships I’ve made with the athletic directors and other people around the game.
“I prefer to stay in the background, though. I was a little uncomfortable with all of that attention, but it was nice.
“I owe it to the kids to keep up with them, not fall behind, and officiate the proper way. As long as I can do that, I’ll keep on going. It’d be great to get to 50 (years),” he added.
Monteleone has an exercise machine in his basement and he walks a lot to stay in shape during the off-season.
But the off-season doesn’t last very long.
“Between football and basketball, I’m going at it pretty good for seven months a year,” he said. “That keeps me in shape.”
