Butler won’t rejoin WPIAL football; decision nearing on Farrell’s request to return

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, January 12, 2024 | 1:53 PM

Purchase Photo Options

How many football teams will the WPIAL have next season? That number continues to fluctuate.

What’s known now is that Butler will not rejoin WPIAL football next season and instead play an independent schedule. In a separate situation, the WPIAL must decide soon whether Farrell will play WPIAL football next season.

Farrell has asked to rejoin the WPIAL in all sports, a request the WPIAL board will debate Tuesday.

The WPIAL also lost one football team since last season when Connellsville decided in December to pursue an independent schedule.

Butler played football as a so-called “associate member” in PIAA District 10 the past four seasons. The Golden Tornado was seeking a more competitive schedule in District 10 after winless seasons in the WPIAL in 2018 and ‘19. However, the PIAA ultimately opposed that “associate membership” arrangement, forcing Butler to either return to WPIAL football next fall or play an independent schedule.

The Butler football program saw measured improvements in recent years and won 13 games in four seasons, but athletic director Bill Mylan said school administrators decided the program wasn’t ready for WPIAL competition.

“We’re just trying to keep the best interest of our program in mind and what’s going to be most beneficial in keeping us moving in a positive direction,” Mylan said. “All of the parties involved in making that decision felt it was the best thing to do for us.”

Butler is the third-largest school in the WPIAL and all other sports will continue to play WPIAL competition. Without Butler, the WPIAL will have eight teams in Class 6A football next year.

The WPIAL this winter is realigning conference and sections for all sports, a process that takes place every two years. Mylan said Butler will reassess its football program after playing an independent schedule in 2024 and ‘25.

“I envision us really sitting down after two more years and taking another look at where we’re at,” he said.

Mylan said Butler already has seven games on the 2024 football schedule, including Shaler in Week Zero. Along with a couple of City League opponents, Butler will play Connellsville, Meadville, Hollidaysburg and University High of Morgantown, W.Va.

“We’ve got a nice mix right now,” Mylan said, “and are hoping to add a couple more once the dust settles with realignment.”

The WPIAL board will decide Tuesday whether to accept Farrell as a member in all sports, WPIAL executive director Scott Seltzer said.

Farrell was a longtime member before leaving the WPIAL for District 10 in 2006. The Mercer County school now wants to rejoin the WPIAL. The District 10 committee granted Farrell’s request to leave in December.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Butler