A longtime basketball referee is earning recognition for five decades of officiating youth hoops.
Butler resident Art Monteleone was honored last week at Moniteau High School for being a high school basketball ref for 50 years.
During the ceremony he wanted to give credit to his family for putting up with all his travel and time away from home.
“I just want to thank my family for everything they gave up when I was reffing. I was going down to Pittsburgh all the time, with all that travelling back and forth I wasn’t home,” Montleone said. “My wife had to do everything and take care of everything. I appreciate it all and I love you guys.”
The longtime fixture in Butler youth sports also recognized the refs that came before him and friends he made along the way.
“Some of the old timers that aren’t around anymore taught me everything. Hopefully, I can pass that on to the younger guys and leave the chapter a better place so we can give the kids what they deserve, which is the best job we can do,” Monteleone.
The 77-year-old currently schedules games in the Butler PIAA chapter and said he plans on officiating as long as his body allows him.
