It was a good year for Troy football, and Coach Matt Burgbacher is proud of how the team made it to the playoffs again. He is also looking at what the plans are for the 2018 season. Burgbacher brought three players and a senior cheerleader to talk about the season and future plans with Troy Rotarians during their weekly meeting on November 7th.
For the second year in a row, and Burgbacher's third year leading the team, Troy completed the season with a playoff game against Anderson. Despite the disappointing outcome of the matchup, the players took comfort knowing they took the lead in the 133-year rivalry against the "team up north" in the regular season.
After a rough 1-2 start, conversation around town included this being a "rebuilding year" for the squad after losing so many players through graduation. Ignoring those critics, the team was motivated to unify and be relentless in their pursuit of winning the Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) North division title. They sought consistency in their performance on the field and righted the ship to win seven straight games to capture the title.
Burgbacher's guests included senior cheerleader Haley Beeler, senior wide receiver and defensive back Zack Boyer, senior linebacker Johnny Wehrkamp, and junior tight end Spencer Klopfenstein. Burgbacher explained how all seniors on the team are co-captains to encourageg each of them to become a leader for others on the squad. He also noted how much support the cheerleaders have provided to the players and staff throughout the season, having a pivotal role in motivating everyone through meals, decorations, and cheering at each game. As they plan for next year, many key players will return and be focused on a threepeat win of the GWOC North title. To learn more about the football program, visit www.troy.k12.oh.us/Athletics.
Troy Rotarians and the Troy Rotary Foundation support several community projects annually. During the 2016-17 Rotary year, over $16,000 in scholarships and community aid was distributed from the fund, including support for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, Rotary's annual Shoe Project, academic and community service scholarships, and sponsorships to summer camps at Brukner Nature Center and WACO Air Museum. In addition to the financial support, Rotarians volunteered nearly 400 hours to several service projects. The Troy Rotary Club is a member-involved, goal-oriented service club focused on socio/economic issues that have an impact both locally and internationally. Follow the organization's activities on Facebook at Troy Rotary Club. To learn more about Rotary and membership in the club, please visit www.troyohiorotary.org.