Butler County Hall of Fame 2025: 3 things to know about each of the 7 inductees
The 58th class of the Butler County Hall of Fame is set to be inducted April 26 at Butler County Community College’s Founders Hall.
This year’s class of seven includes Joella Baker, Larry Dillon, Joe Lewandowski, Art Monteleone, Tom Phillips, Scott Stoner and Melissa Sopher Williams.
Tickets to the banquet are $35 in advance, or $40 at the door, the latter depending on availability. Tables of eight may be purchased at a discounted rate. Tickets are available at butlersportshall.com or at the following ticket outlets: Butler Radio on Pillow Street in Butler, Saxonburg Drug, Maddalon Jewelers in Zelienople and Parkers Appliance in Chicora.
Get to know a little more about each of the inductees as they took some time to answer a few questions about their athletic achievements and more.
The Harmony resident qualified for seven triathlon World Championships as a member of Team USA. Has competed in approximately 300 triathlons.
Founded “Get Fit Families” in 2009 and has since coached hundreds of people — youths to adults — to success in triathlons at the local, state and national level.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: I competed in an Iron Man triathlon, called Beach to Battleship, in North Carolina about 15 years ago. It was 140.6 miles long, and I placed first in my age group.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: My parents, Dave and Ann Richard. They encouraged me and my sisters to be active.
I started competing in triathlons when I was 18, and they drove me everywhere for events, all over the East Coast, and bought me all the equipment I needed.
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: I’ve influenced a lot of people over the years, and I think that’s a big reason why I have been selected. The fact that people feel what I’ve done is worthy, it’s truly an honor.
Dillon graduated from Butler High School, where he was a standout swimmer despite a physical condition in which he couldn’t perspire called hyphidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. He competed in the YMCA Nationals and placed in the 1,650-yard freestyle before swimming at Westminster College for two years, including in the NAIA Nationals.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: My favorite memory was during the 1977 YMCA championships. Because of Mike Kriley's spirited encouragement in the 1650, I dropped my time by more than one minute and finished 13th overall.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: My teammates are my biggest influence, in and out of the pool. They provided me with encouragement and support to reach beyond our competition goals in swimming and in life.
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: Being inducted is a true blessing and honor. This honor has made me very humbled to be associated with such great athletes and fine citizens of this community.
A standout basketball player who played at Butler County Community College, Slippery Rock University and in Denmark professionally. Went on to coach at Butler and Deer Lakes high schools, then collegiately at Point Park and BC3, where he led the Pioneers to a No. 7 national junior college ranking in 2023-24. He coached Team USA’s 3-on-3 in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: Your first high school state championship is always special. And then I remember winning it my senior year, which is the very last game you play. ... The gold medal in Russia, to beat Russia. Winning that was sort of an out-of-body experience.
Winning to go to nationals at BC3. It was so much more than me.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: It’s a tough one, but my parents. When you have people who just believe in you beyond anything else, you can do anything. And I try to take that into coaching. ... My mom just passed, but I still call my dad all the time. He’s the first one I call.
If you’re talking coaches, Dicky Hartung. When I was in a period of figuring out where I wanted to go ... a school in Cleveland ... Tri-City offered me a scholarship ... Dicky said, ‘I’ll make you better.’
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: To be honest, I am not big on personal awards because I always feel like there are so many people more deserving than I am, people with more wins, people with more success. But I accept it on behalf of all the people I have worked with and who worked with me. It’s very, very humbling.
Monteleone has been a PIAA youth and high school basketball and football official for 54 years. The Butler resident was formerly a Butler Area Midget Football League coach.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: Coaching midget football for 25 years and all the kids and relationships I still have with each kid. In 1969 was one of the championships we won, and I still stay in contact with some of these kids. One lives in California, one lives in Colorado. ... It just amazes me all these years guys kept in touch.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: That’d be Harry Leyland. Harry coached midget football and basketball in Butler for over 50 years. I was a senior in high school, I heard him say to coach Paul Uram, “Do you know anybody who would coach football?” And I told him I could. ... In 1971, Harry also asked me, “Why don’t you ref?”
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: It means a lot. Especially means a lot coming from butler County, because when it’s your hometown, you’re 80 years old, I guess it means your community thinks you did (a good job).
Won three points championships in Limited Late Models at Lernerville Speedway before embarking on a legendary coaching career with Freeport High's volleyball program (2001-present). Has guided the 'Jackets to an overall record of 421-42, seven district titles and two state titles. Was named Pennsylvania Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2022.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: We played in a state semifinal against Philipsburg-Osceola in 2022. They had an incredible player, Reese Hazleton, who is now playing (at Indiana University), and the action was back and forth. We ended up winning in five sets and went on to win the state title. That semi is something that will always stick out for me.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: My wife, Jamie. She has been involved with Freeport volleyball as long as I have. She doesn't sugar-coat things, is always honest with me. She's my biggest supporter and fan.
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: I've looked at the list of this year's inductees and the people who have gone in before ... there's so many great people. It's truly an honor and I'm taken aback by it.
Butler High School’s boys wrestling coach for the past 32 seasons. Has tallied over 450 career victories and was named WPIAL Class 3A Wrestling Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: It’s not one moment, but the fact that I have the rare opportunity to coach where the greatest wrestling in the country is, the WPIAL. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a family and community that has allowed me to do it for 32 years.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: I have to say Fred Powell. He was my college coach at SRU and is now on my staff at Butler. I’ve spent more time with him than with my own father. It’s not only what he taught me about wrestling, but how to live, staying fit and being an example for others.
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: I look back to where I came from, those first few years, it was all about setting goals and developing the kids. I’m excited to be joining a group of so many talented people.
Won back-to-back PIAA Class 2A titles in the girls 300-meter hurdles in 2001 and 2002. Still owns Butler County’s top all-time effort in the event with a time of 43.78 seconds.
Helped Slippery Rock University’s 4x400 relay team to PSAC titles in 2006 and 2007.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your Hall of Fame career?
A: My junior year of high school, I won a state title in the 300 hurdles. It was so close at the end (.01 seconds) and they didn’t have the technology at the time to determine a winner right away. Ten minutes after the race, I found out that I had won.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: My high school coach, Tom Meling. He spent a ton of time watching VHS tapes, learning the right technique for the hurdles. He is a self-created great coach, so kind and will do anything to help his athletes.
Q: What does the Hall of Fame induction mean to you?
A: The County Hall of Fame has so many people, so many great athletes to go through, I think most people have gray hair before they get in. It is such an honor, and I thank all of the people who voted for me.
