A humbled honoree
BUTLER TWP — After 46 years of involvement in Butler football as a player, coach and mentor, Hank Leyland has retired.
So he says. His wife of 36 years disagrees.
“He's never going to be retired,” Terry Leyland said. “This is only a break. He loves it too much.
“Football is his passion and Hank will always be there to help. He doesn't do it for the attention. He doesn't want the accolades.”
That's why Leyland, 56, appeared a bit uneasy and out of his element last Friday night while receiving the Butler Football Hometown Hero of the Year Award.
As his good friend and Hometown Hero committee member Ralph McElhaney spoke of Leyland's career during a pre-game gathering in the Butler Vo-Tech building, Leyland himself just sat, his eyes fixed downward.
“People don't know everything this man has done,” said McElhaney, who coached 30 years with Leyland. “He's mowed the (midget league) field with his own mower, bought food for the concession stand, worked with members of his family in the concession stand.
“He's helped put up buildings down there (at Memorial Park). This goes way beyond coaching for him.”
Leyland played for his father, Harry Leyland, with the South Side Blue Streaks in the BAMFL. When he played for Butler High School, the Golden Tornado were 34-4-2, including the WPIAL co-championship in 1977.
“I had very little to do with that ... I probably weighed all of 98 pounds,” Leyland said. “I remember my older brother telling me, 'just hit everything that moves.'
“But I was a part of those teams and I was proud of it.'
Leyland started his coaching career alongside his father in the BAMFL. He guided the East Side Mustangs to the 1999 league title and wound up coaching under seven different head coaches at Butler.
“Growing up in our family, all we ever wanted to do was play football,” Leyland said, laughing. “I didn't think there were any other options out there.
“I was lucky to pl;ay for and coach with the coaches I did. Timing is everything.”
He added that “my hero was my father. The role model I had to look at, it was very easy to follow in his path.
“To see the difference he made and the impact he made on young people's lives ... That was what I wanted to do.”
Harry Leyland coached football and basketball for 50 years. And just like he was coached by his father, Hank Leyland went on to coach his own sons in football.
“I loved that,” Terry Leyland said. “It was a chance for our sons to experience and get to see another side of their father.
“Whenever Hank went to the field, I usually tagged along and wound up getting involved myself, whether with the concession stand or whatever.
“Hank supported me throughout my dance career, I support him in football. We support each other,” she added.
McElhaney pointed out that Leyland coached every level of football, working with kids from age 7 through 18.
“Ultimately, it's just a game,” Leyland said of football. “But it's the greatest game in the world to teach a kid about life and to prepare him for what goes on in life.”
Leyland was presented the Hometown Hero of the Year Award on the field at Art Bernardi Stadium, prior to the North Allegheny game. He accepted the award from his father and sons Trevor and Levi Leyland.
