Large crowd turns out Friday, Sept. 22 to see their very own Butler Tornado's play against Erie. Butler Eagle File Photo

BUTLER TWP — Butler football is staying on its own after all.

After deciding weeks ago to play an independent schedule in 2024, Butler never informed the WPIAL of that move. Based on a court settlement with Butler two years ago, the WPIAL included the Golden Tornado on its website of Class 6A teams for the coming season, figuring Butler was returning to district play.

The Butler Area School District solicitor has been discussing the conflict with lawyers representing the PIAA.

“The PIAA has agreed to allow us to play an independent schedule for the next two years,” Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said. “I am publicly grateful to them for that decision. They are supporting us in watching out for and developing our student-athletes.”

Butler football coach Eric Christy echoed those sentiments.

“The PIAA understands our situation and our intention to grow the football program,” Christy said. “Our intention is to continue working toward being competitive with every team we play.

“We want to eventually return (to the WPIAL). That’s the goal here.”

PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi was noncommittal when asked about Butler receiving permission to play independently.

“We’re in the process of resolving that issue,” Lombardi said. “That’s where we are. We just need to finalize things. As of today, that’s where we’re at.”

The Tornado are coming off a 2-8 season riddled with injuries. Butler football spent the last four seasons as an associate member of District 10 and was eligible for that district’s playoffs. The Tornado qualified for postseason play in 2021 and 2022.

By playing an independent schedule, Butler will not be eligible for postseason play the next two years.

“This is the right move for our football program,” Mylan said. “We simply need more time.”

The Tornado ended their final season in WPIAL 6A with 28 players in 2019. Their roster numbers were over 80 at the beginning of last season. Christy said 25 to 45 players have been in the weight room on a regular basis this offseason.

“With other sports going on, that’s a healthy number,” Christy said. “Our kids are still excited about football and about next season. Had we been forced to return to the WPIAL this coming season, I’m not sure what that might have done to our roster numbers or that interest … That would have been a dangerous game to play.

“Right now, we want to move forward. We want to have a winning season and there are still tough games on our schedule.”

Butler will play a 10-game schedule this fall with opponents being Shaler, Brashear, Meadville, Hollidaysburg, Westinghouse, Connellsville, Allderdice, Clarion and West Virginia schools University and Wheeling Park.

Christy said it’s important for potential Butler football players and their families to “become more educated about the sport.

“The offseason program, 7-on-7 leagues, breaking down film, weight room work, becoming better athletes, that’s all part of it,” the coach said. “We need to pay attention to our youth league and junior high numbers, get parents to overcome the stigma of football, the fear of injuries and concussions.

“You can get hurt in any sport. Football’s no different from the others.”

It is unknown at this time whether Butler will return to WPIAL football in 2026.

“Too soon to tell,” Christy said. “We’ll see where our numbers are and the state of the program at that point.”