He’s all about Butler football
This is the second in a series of five articles profiling the 2023 Butler Football Hometown Hero honorees.
BUTLER TWP — Missing the playoffs was bad enough. Missing out on a chance to play more high school football was worse.
That’s why 1988 Butler graduate Craig Lucas recalls the Golden Tornado’s 17-0 loss at Upper St. Clair in the 1987 regular season finale so well — and so painfully.
“We had a good team that year. To this day, we all feel like we under-achieved,” said Lucas, a two-year starter at center for Butler. “We were in a loaded section that year — North Hills was considered the national champion by USA Today — but we believed we should have done better.
“Going down to Upper St. Clair, we knew if we won, we were in ... We just didn’t get it done. I’m still in touch with a lot of my high school teammates and we still talk about that.”
While the loss at USC ended Lucas’ high school career, it did not polish off his football career. He went on to be a three-year starter at center for Clarion University, was an assistant coach for East Butler of the Butler Area Midget Football League for a couple of years, and served as color commentator for Butler High School football games on the radio from 2007 through 2018.
“I found I didn’t have enough time to dedicate to coaching and if I couldn’t commit to it totally, it wasn’t fair to the kids,” Lucas said. “The football broadcasts worked well with my schedule at the time. I loved it and just kept doing it.”
His dedication to the sport locally will be recognized by the Butler Football Hometown Hero organization prior to the 2023 Golden Tornado home opener against Meadville on Sept. 1 at Art Bernardi Stadium. Lucas will be honored along with Jay Miranda, John Hartle, Mickey Haley and Randy Fillhart.
“This is something I never expected ... very humbling,” Lucas said. “I love Butler football. I joined the broadcasts on Friday nights because I wanted to give something back to the program that taught me so much.
“Butler football was going through a rough time, not winning many games, and I know those kids were hearing a lot of negative things out in the public. I welcomed the chance to help build them up and stay positive during the broadcasts. I wanted the kids to have a voice out there.”
He recalled doing color commentary during a lopsided loss to Bethel Park, hearing from a friend who tuned into the game late.
“He said the way I was talking about the Butler kids, he thought we were winning,” Lucas said. “We lost that game something like 56-0. I was proud of the fact he thought Butler was winning. Regardless of score, those kids are out on the field working hard. The only time I was critical on the radio was if I thought the effort wasn’t being given ... but that was very, very rare.”
Lucas is married to Butler girls volleyball coach Meghan Lucas. Their daughters played high school and collegiate volleyball.
“I’d still be doing the football games on the radio, but it was important to me to watch my girls play in college,” Lucas said. “I can’t describe how much I miss it. Working with (play-by-play man) Ron Willison was so much fun. We had great chemistry.
After another two years, my daughters will be done playing. I’ve loved watching them follow through with their passion as well. I wasn’t about to miss that, but when their college years are over, that’s when I plan on returning to football.”
But not as a coach or broadcaster.
As an on-field official.
“I’ve been prepping to become a referee,” Lucas said. “That’s the next phase for me in giving back. With the shortage of referees today, it should be much easier for me.”
“I’ve seen the game, played the game, coached the game, described the game, Soon I will be officiating the game. I’m experiencing football from all angles.”
Lucas added that he’s benefited “from great parents, great coaches, who taught me how to be a decent human, rise above adversity, to battle and push myself.”
He said he uses all of those elements in every-day life.
“I know I’m successful in life because of what I learned on the football field,” Lucas said.
