Fillhart

Bert Fillhart achieved something in Butler High sports history that no one can ever take away.

He became the Golden Tornado's first swimmer to win an individual event at the WPIALChampionships — because he did so at the first district meet in 1935.

Fillhart, who died in 1983, was one of the first stellar swimmers in Butler history and is being inducted into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame as a result.

He will be one of seven inductees being honored at the organization's 43rd annual banquet April 26 at the Butler Days Inn.

"He'd be tickled about it if he was here,"said Randy Fillhart, his son. "We're all very happy about this.

"Dad was one of the school's athletic standouts in the early years."

Fillhart won the 100-yard freestyle at the first WPIALmeet, hosted by Carnegie Tech. He also anchored the Golden Tornado's 200-yard relay team to victory.

He was undefeated in the 100 freestyle during his senior year.

Under coach John Mixer, Butler won the team title at that initial WPIAL event, scoring 31 points to edge Munhall by two.

"He was an only child, so he enjoyed his time at the Y," said Fillhart's wife, Katherine. "I'm sure that's what led him to get involved in swimming. Spending time with other kids there, that was his thing."

Besides excelling as a swimmer, Fillhart taught the sport to others. A member of the Butler Aquatic Club from 1930-35, he taught younger boys in the YMCAprogram.

Fillhart and his wife had seven children, and "we all had to learn how to swim,"Randy Fillhart said. A few of the children went on to swim competitively at Butler.

"We learned the basics from him,"Randy said.

In 1934, Fillhart became the first junior to be elected team captain in Butler High swimming history.

Fillhart qualified for the state finals at Penn State in 1935 and placed sixth in the 100 freestyle. The high school would not pay his expenses to the state meet, but two Penn State students from Butler provided him room and board so he could compete.

During part of his induction training in the Navy, Fillhart taught swimming during boot camp in 1944. He was asked to join the naval staff as a permanent instructor, but declined because of his qualifications to attend radar school.

"He was very proud of that,"Randy Fillhart said. "He liked teaching swimming as much as doing it."

Fillhart went on to teach hundreds of boys how to swim at the YMCA. He also taught life-saving techniques through the Red Cross and served as the American Red Cross of Butler County Water Safety director.

"We had a motor home and used to take large groups of swimmers to competitions,"Katherine Fillhart said. "This (HOFinduction) is a special honor for Bert. I know he appreciates this."

<i>This is the fourth in a series of articles profiling the 2008 inductees into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame.</i>