2025 Frank Butsko Memorial Award Breakfast

The award will be presented at the Butsko Breakfast ceremony on Saturday, April 26 held in the North Manser Dining Room from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. All Mountaineer football alum are welcome to attend.

Award Presentations

Frank Butsko Award

Presented to: Kellen Herman

The highlight of the Butsko Breakfast is the presentation of the Frank Butsko Award. This is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon a Mountaineer football player. The Butsko award has been an annually given out event since 1986 to honor the memory of former Mountaineer assistant coach Frank Butsko, who was killed in an automobile accident during a recruiting trip.

Kellen Herman has spent the last four seasons with Mansfield. He has appeared in 30 games as a leader on the offensive line. He anchored an offensive line that brought the sprint program their highest rushing yards in a total season with 1,920. Herman has been a key contributor to a Mansfield rushing attack that has ranked in the top 3 of the CSFL for the past three seasons.

A crucial part of the line, the left tackle kept the team moving and his leadership on and off the field was a significant part of the team's abilities to move the ball down the field with explosiveness.

Austin Snyder Alumni Appreciation Award

Presented to: Rod Kelchner

The Austin Snyder Alumni Appreciation Award is named in honor of former Mansfield football standout and longtime supporter Austin Snyder ‘62. Snyder came to Mansfield after an injury ended his scholarship at Syracuse and then became a key member of the Mountaineer football program. Snyder hosted a yearly fundraising event in the Philadelphia area that provided funds critical to the success of the program throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Kelchner, a native of Bloomsburg, came to Mansfield in 1964 after a short stint teaching high school in Millersburg, Pa. His first assignment at Mansfield was to teach history until 1966, when he served as assistant and acting Dean of Men. In that capacity, he administered a range of services for male students at the college.

Between 1966 and 1969, Kelchner served as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Financial Aid – arguably one of the most important services the college provided to students.

One of the most successful head football coaches in school history, Kelchner was associated with athletics in one form or another for almost all of his 34 years at Mansfield, a career that included being Dean of Students, Dean of Development and External Relations and, from 1984 through 1998, President of Mansfield University. Kelchner was an assistant football coach under Tut Moore for two seasons before taking over the reigns of the program in 1966. Mansfield posted a 15-13 mark with Kelchner at the helm including a 6-4 record in 1967, just missing the PSAC East title.

Following that, Kelchner was Dean of Students for a decade. In that capacity, he was responsible for a whole range of activities relating to students. He administered admissions, residence halls (Cedarcrest was built during his tenure in 1976), student activities, food service, athletics, recreation, student advising and counseling, fraternity and sorority advisement, and new student orientation.

John “Jay” Atkins Mountie Award

Presented to: The Radel Family

The John “Jay” Atkins Mountie Award was established by the Butsko Selection Committee in 2010 to honor the courage and dignity of former Mountaineer standout offensive lineman Jay Atkins, who was diagnosed with MS, forcing him to leave his position with the Mansfield Admissions Office. Atkins is a popular and beloved member of the Mountaineer football program, earning All-PSAC honors during the late 1980s. His dignity and pride in Mansfield continues to inspire us.

On Saturday, December 7, the Mansfield community lost one of their own. Saramae Radel '23 of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania passed away. She was a standout field hockey player during her time at Mansfield.

Off the field, she was an even better person than an athlete. There was never a time where she failed to put a smile on people's faces. Saramae lit up every room she was in with her infectious personality. She will be missed dearly by Mansfield and its community.

On Dec. 7, friends and loved ones gathered at Evangelical Community Hospital for a Hero Walk to honor Saramae and provide comfort to her family. As an organ donor, Saramae's gift will save lives, a testament to her enduring compassion and generosity.

Tom Elsasser Award For Character

Presented to: Steve Boyce ’95 M’03

The Tom Elsasser Award for Character was established with great pride by the Butsko Awards Committee in 2024 to honor the spirit, passion and commitment displayed by former long-time head coach Tom Elsasser.

Coach Elsasser was responsible for bringing Coach Butsko to Mansfield. Elsasser also was the guiding force behind creating the Butsko Award and annual Butsko Breakfast to honor the memory of Coach Butsko. During the entirety of his career at Mansfield, Coach Elsasser defined the character traits that have become the standard expectations of anyone associated with the Mountaineer football program.

The second Tom Elsasser Award for Character recipient is Steve Boyce. Boyce enjoyed a successful playing career at Mansfield. His 259 career tackles ranked in the top 5 all time. He was a three-time ECAC and Six-time PSAC weekly honor roll nominee. Boyce was named the Most Improved Player at the Fall banquet in 1992 when he led the team in tackles as a sophomore. He was then named the Off-Season Workout recipient during the Annual Butsko Breakfast. During his junior year, he led the team in interceptions and set the Mansfield record for the longest fake punt for a touchdown (89 yards) against West Chester University. 
During his senior campaign Boyce was the 10th player in program history to go over 250 tackles. During his career he was a two-time PSAC Scholar Athlete for the 1993-94 and 1994 – 95 school years.

The Mansfield Sprint Football team will welcome some incoming recruits at the event. Following the breakfast all are welcome to attend a spring practice with the Mansfield sprint football team.

Registration