BUTLER TWP — A positive past can generate a similar future.

Brian Slamecka, chairperson of the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame, had such a message Friday night during the inductions of Kim Nowakowski Tarovisky, Peter Staruch and John Williams in the high school cafeteria.

“This Hall of Fame got started 14 years ago,” Slamecka said. “It is designed to honor and recognize coaches, players, administrators and active supporters of Butler athletics.

“The accomplishments of tonight’s inductees and others provide hope and encouragement for upcoming groups of athletes.”

The inductions of Nowakowski Tarovisky, Staruch and Williams raise the number of individuals in the Hall of Fame to 60.

Nowakowski scored 1,137 points and snared 630 rebounds in three seasons for Butler’s girls basketball team. She went on to start for three years at California (Pa.) University, scoring 1,240 points and being named PSAC Tournament MVP in 2006.

Her and her husband, Justin Tarovisky, now live in Morgantown, W.Va.. She coaches her daughter’s youth basketball team.

“I love giving back and passing along knowledge I gained from my years of playing,” Nowakowski said. “Basketball has been such a big part of my life.

“I have to thank the Hall of Fame Committee. This is the most meaningful and personal honor I’ve ever received.”

Nowakowski lauded her coaches in Butler, primarily Dorothea Epps and Jonna Burke. Epps coached Nowakowski from grade school through high school while Burke was Nowakowski’s varsity coach.

“I’m so appreciative of them,” Nowakowski said. “They taught me so much.”

She also thanked her parents for “taking me all over the country to play AAU ball ... They rarely missed any of my college games, either.”

Nowakowski’s brother, Matt, formerly held the high jump record at Butler. He is three years older than her, but she recalled playing one-on-one basketball with him in the driveway quite a bit.

“He probably blocked 91% of my shots,” she said, smiling. “I had to learn a couple of other moves in the post to avoid that, so I guess I owe that to him.”

Staruch was a record-setting swimmer at Butler who went on to a solid career at Texas A&M. He was a state champion in the 100-yard backstroke in 1986.

Staruch said he was happy to be joining other swimming and diving legends at Butler in the Hall of Fame.

“Nunzio Esposto, David Pichler, Eric Namesnik ... I’m honored to now have my name associated with theirs,” Staruch said. “I got to swim on the same team as Eric and that was such a privilege.

“Life is all about connections — the more things change, the more they stay the same. Pat Madden, Gary Mato ,... I’ve had some great coaches.”

He added that his parents played a major role in his success in the pool.

“My parents always pushed me to be the best I could be,” Staruch said. “They always had us ready for where we were supposed to go and for what we were supposed to do.

“They introduced me to swimming, the greatest sport in the world. You can do it forever. I’m still doing it.”

Williams is still coaching Butler varsity track and field after 32 years — 22 as an assistant, 10 as a head coach.

He sports an 84-11 won-loss record in dual meets. Specializing in coaching the jumps, Williams has coached 105 WPIAL qualifiers, 50 WPIAL medalists, 45 PIAA qualifiers and 18 PIAA medalists.

He’s coached four WPIAL Class AAA championship teams.

“You can’t be a good coach without having good athletes and I’ve had great athletes here,” Williams said. “I am truly blessed that way.

“Coaching track and field has become a big passion for me. It all started when Mike Seybert and I approached (then coach) Mark Farabee about possibly joining the staff as volunteers. We were welcomed in and it kept going from there.”

Williams said his father died two years ago and “he loved when I talked track and field with him. I’m sure he’d love this day.”

The Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame has inducted athletes or coaches in 12 different sports. Two teams and a pair of track and field relay units have been inducted as well.

“This Hall of Fame is something we’re all very proud of and excited about,” Slamecka said. “We have a lot to celebrate.”