Mar 24, 2008 8:38 pm US/Eastern
SV Students Raise Money For Coach's Son
JACKSON TWP (KDKA) ―
Last fall, Seneca Valley High School Football Coach Ron Butschle risked the anger and criticism of his fellow teachers when he decided to continue coaching during a strike.
He did so to allow the seniors to finish the season, and now those players are giving back in a very special way.
"You know, coach always preached family, family first like we are as a football team ... Not only a team but a family," Mark Poydence, a student athlete, said.
Last month, Butschle's one-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer - a malignancy that attacks the immune system. Nate will need months of chemotherapy, steroids and other medications and the team doesn't want the family to worry anymore than they have to.
"I went home and slept about it and came up the next day and called a meeting and I talked to all the seniors and said, 'You know, we need to do something,' " Shane Patsilevas said.
They decided to sell bracelets bearing the message, "Keep Swingin' Nate." They sold 1,000 in three days and plan on selling more.
"It's a credit to the community and we're going to order another thousand, might not stop there," Alex Hart said.
Coach Butschle is overwhelmed by their efforts.
"For them to do what they did for me and Nathaniel and for my family was - I can't say thank you. There's really no words for me to ... express how I feel," he said.
The players are also organizing a basketball tournament for students, faculty anyone else who would like to help on April 19.
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