On April 23, the Waynesburg Central High School track was officially named the Howard “Butch” Brunell Track.
The Greene County Sports Hall of Famer was a fixture of Waynesburg athletics for decades, serving as both a head coach and a mentor to numerous state champions.
“Butch” dedicated over 57 years to the Waynesburg Central track and field program, serving as a head coach, assistant, and volunteer. He was widely regarded as the premier pole vault coach in Pennsylvania.
He coached six PIAA state champions and 18 WPIAL champions between 1973 and 2023.
In addition, Brunell’s athletes also earned 12 PIAA and 32 WPIAL medals in other events
Even at age 81 in 2025, he helped coach his grandson, Jackson Brunell, and Mason Schroyer to medals at the WPIAL Championships.
Beyond coaching, he dedicated 35 years to the district as a teacher, instructing subjects ranging from Social Studies to Physical Education. He was a constant presence at the track he helped open in 1970, coaching until just days before his passing in October 2025.
More important than his track knowledge, Butch imparted ideals of sportsmanship and compassion to everyone with whom he came into contact.
The renaming ceremony took place during the inaugural Coach Brunell Memorial Invitational, where his wife, Janice, and their family were honored at the center of the track. The meet featured several standout performances from Waynesburg athletes, including a second-place finish in the middle school pole vault by Butch’s grandson Tanner.
Shortly after the ceremony, older brother Jackson, won the pole vault at the Washington-Greene County meet, dedicating the victory to his grandfather.
