Once rentals, Hometown Heroes buying Butler football permanent camo jerseys for military appreciation nights
BUTLER TWP — When the Butler Football Hometown Heroes committee honored retired Major General Pete Talleri, a 1975 Butler graduate, in 2022, it decided to recognize the United States military as well.
Camouflage jerseys were rented for the Golden Tornado football team to wear that night. The team again rented the jerseys the following two seasons for players to wear during BFHH recognition night since.
This year will be a little different.
The BFHH committee ordered its own camo jerseys for the Tornado to wear for their Sept. 12 home game against Hollidaysburg at Art Bernardi Stadium. The organization recently received 100 jerseys — uniform Nos. 0 through 99 — at a total cost of $6,000.
Butler’s football team will wear those jerseys on each military night for years to come.
“Our goal is to raise that $6,000 through donations to offset the cost of the jerseys,” BFHH committee member Ralph McElhaney said.
People or businesses may donate toward this cause, but the prime means of contributing is through sponsoring a particular jersey number.
“A current or former player’s parents may want to sponsor the number that player wore ... maybe his grandparents, friends, whoever,” McElhaney said. “A former player may want to sponsor the number he once wore.”
The cost to sponsor a jersey is $60. The pledge will be recognized and displayed on a plaque or poster in the high school football locker room, designating the jersey number sponsored and the player one wishes to recognize.
A number may be sponsored by more than one person or family.
“It’s neat the way this is being put together,” Butler head football coach Eric Christy said. “You’re honoring the military as well as recognizing a former player, whether that be a parent or otherwise. It also brings to attention the rich football history we have here.
“Maybe someone wants to honor a grandfather who played football here and entered the military later. There are so many possibilities. ... It’s a great idea.”
BFHH committee member Kevin Vogel played football at Butler from 1973-76. He is sponsoring his No. 67. McElhaney, a former Tornado player and assistant coach, is sponsoring his No. 84.
Former Butler assistant coach Hank Leyland is sponsoring the late Ed Hartman’s No. 11. Hartman was a standout player for Butler in the late 1970s and for Geneva College. He was killed in an automobile accident shortly after his college graduation.
“We’re getting a lot of people stepping forward already,” McElhaney said. “There’s an importance to recognizing and honoring the military armed forces. Our committee felt a responsibility to teach the players to respect our military heroes.
“It all started with Pete Talleri in 2022. Since then, we’ve aligned with the athletic department, VFW Post 249 and auxiliary, and the band to keep this going for years to come, to recognize those actively serving and our veterans.”
Vogel said the camo jerseys will “help the kids out and draw their attention to the fact that people have sacrificed their lives so other people can play high school football, go on to college and lead their lives.
“This is a very positive part of our program.”
For information on donating or sponsoring a uniform number, contact McElhaney at 724-991-8656 or coachralphmac@gmail.com.
