For Butler’s 15th Hall of Fame class, plenty of thanks and appreciation for another chapter in history
BUTLER TWP — Master of ceremonies Bill Mylan put it best.
“Our inductees write the history of Butler athletics,” the Golden Tornado athletic director said during the 15th Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony Tuesday night in the high school cafeteria.
Four more chapters were added as the inductions of Steve Adams, Caitlin Baxter-Smith, Bobby Swartwout and Rick Davanzati swelled the HOF membership to 79 individuals. Davanzati became the 12th coach and Baxter-Smith the first softball player to enter the Hall.
Adams was a 1999 Butler graduate who excelled in basketball for the Golden Tornado and Johns Hopkins University. He was an All-Mid-Atlantic Region player in college and played on one of the best basketball teams in Butler history.
“That team my junior year was very good,” Adams said of his Butler career. “All five starters went on to play in college — four in basketball, one in football.
“We were ranked No. 1 in the state for a while and lost in overtime for a chance to play for the state championship. That was rough, but I wouldn’t change that experience for anything.”
Also a Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Adams credited his parents for their support.
“They didn’t miss a game of mine in 12 years, and that includes games in California, Texas, all over the place,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough.”
Like Adams, Swartwout played on stellar Butler basketball teams. The 2011 Tornado graduate was a centerpiece on a Butler team that won postseason games for the first time in a decade.
He led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots his junior and senior seasons, then helped St. Vincent College win a pair of conference championships. Swartwout was a standout baseball player, as well.
“I was coached by my dad and other great coaches like George Abraham, Matt Clement, ‘Duck’ Gallagher, Gene Rodgers. ... I wouldn’t be here without all of them. I am truly blessed.
“I thank God for giving me the ability to play.”
Swartwout recalled a home game against Central Catholic when “there wasn’t an empty seat in the gym. That place was rocking. I’ll never forget our community support.”
Baxter-Smith, a 2013 Butler graduate, was a two-time MVP in softball and two-time MVP and captain in basketball. She was among the top five in the WPIAL in numerous categories in softball and went on to a stellar career at Slippery Rock University.
“I learned about teamwork, perseverance ... what it meant to be a Golden Tornado,” she said. “I’ll always be grateful for that and the support of my family, from softball and basketball games to playing ball in the driveway.”
Davanzati, a Butler cross country and track runner from 1969-74, now lives in Texas and could not attend the ceremony. Mike Franko, himself a standout runner from that era, spoke on his behalf.
Davanzati was an assistant track coach at Butler for 44 years and head cross country coach for 20 years before retiring in 2024. He contributed to more than 20 WPIAL team titles and a state championship as a coach.
“Rick wanted me to say that running changed his life,” Franko said. “He said, ‘I was shy and introverted, and running opened doors for me.
“He said 55 years is a long time to be telling stories, but, ‘I thank athletic directors from Ed Hepe to Bill Mylan, cross country coaches from Bill Lennox to John Neff, track coaches from Bill Lennox to Mike Sybert and John Williams.”
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Butler fans hold up signs for Steve Adams during the Butler High Hall of Fame inductee announcement at halftime in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at Butler High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Steve Adams is inducted into the Butler High Hall of Fame at halftime in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at Butler High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Caitlin Baxter and Bobby Swartwout are inducted into the Butler High Hall of Fame during halftime at a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at Butler High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Caitlin Baxter is inducted into the Butler High Hall of Fame at halftime in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at Butler High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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From left, Mike Franko accepting the Butler Hall of Fame induction for Rick Davanzati, Steve Adams, athletic director Bill Mylan, Caitlin Baxter and Bobby Swartwout stand for a portrait during halftime at a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at Butler High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
