Originally from Michigan the Welch's were used to a different, more laid back style of sports, but quickly learned to coach to the California pace. Troy told of one of the more humorous experiences when first coaching in California- when he took over for his wife as t-ball coach and was not aware that kids in t-ball needed to wear baseball pants. So he told the families on his team just to wear comfortable clothing to the games. "We were the only team on the field not in baseball pants" recalled Troy with a sheepish grin, "we didn't make the same mistake the next year."
Following quickly on the heels of t-ball was the formation of a cub scout troop in Copper. Noting that the town lacked a pack for his young son Duncan, Troy, whose own father had been very active in scouting with Troy when he was young acting as a scout leader and master, decided to form one. "My father worked a late shift at work and was never able to participate in sports but he always participated in scouting with me." With a few other "committed families" soon a pack was formed and Troy became the cub master. Troy continued as scout master for 5 years, the pack growing from 7 children to 32 by the time he handed over the reins. Unfortunately the pack has since fallen by the wayside. Troy has all the information if someone in the community would like to start one up again.
Not one to rest, the next sport of the 2007 season was soccer. Not knowing anything about soccer, but finding the town needed a coach for his sons age group, Troy once again volunteered for his "first and only year" of soccer. "It was an entertaining year."
2008 came around and Troy's name was first on the list for possible girls basketball coach at Copper School. After fingerprinting, background check and Tb tests all cleared, he hit the ground running. "I had never coached before but I had played."
Soon coaching boys basketball was added to the list. By 2009 with coaching multiple sportsTroy had from the 2nd week of July to the 2nd week of August off each year from coaching. Also in 2009 he assumed the role of athletic director at Copper School. "Its a small community we need to do what we can" within our capabilities. Under his direction as athletic director the school has seen better equipment installed, better balls, and no more hand-me-downs. By 2012 Troy was finally able to coach a basketball team with his own son on it.
Motivating the children was one of Troy's strong points. They loved the sport, never gave up due to the heavy competition, just continued for the sheer joy of the game. One year the kids held a yard sale, and a car wash so the whole team could go to a weekend Dickie Edwards basketball clinic playing 11 games and learning basketball from 7 am to 11 pm. "It was tremendous fun!"
With basketball, baseball, scouts, various boards and work, Troy fell back on his wife Jessica for all the administrative work involved with his volunteering. He wouldn't refer to her as a secretary as he said she was so much more than that.
Are you seeing a trend here? "I grew up in a family that volunteered, I felt I was giving an opportunity to kids who wouldn't have had the opportunity otherwise. Coaching is my life/work balance." Being a project manager for ACE hardware with a zone covering California, Nevada and Hawaii, Troy travels often and on more than one occasion has had to tailor his work schedule around his coaching. "Its important to be there for those kids." Feeling he had made a commitment to them he never wanted to let them down. At one point his coaching caused him to miss many of his own daughters games. This commitment to our kids lead to an honorable mention by the Calaveras Enterprise as Sportsman of the Year in 2012. Troy still has the letters the kids wrote about him to the Enterprise for his nomination.
When asked why he committed so much time to coaching and to the children in our community Troy said, "Its not about what you are doing at the moment, its about what happens after...the creation of memories." Many children coached by Troy, in high school now, keep in touch and tell him how he changed their lives, made them think positive and work as a team.
For now, Troy is hanging up his coaching hat and exchanging it for his 'dad' hat. "Its time to watch my own son play...to grow."
by,
Charity Maness
