|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Deep Roots
Greater Louisville, KY
|
|
|
The Troutman family of Bullitt County boasts three generations of basketball players. Twins Chase and Jade are carrying on the tradition with athletic and academic excellence.
|
Polite and well spoken, Chase and Jade Troutman seem absolutely sure of their convictions. Jade, the younger of the twins by four minutes, doesn’t recall a day when sports weren’t a part of her life.
|
|
|
If you look up the name Troutman, you may find the definition of “Basketball Family of Bullitt County.” All 13 of the grandchildren of Mac and Ella Troutman of MT. Washington have participated heavily in athletics. Aaron, the oldest grandson, is now coaching at Bullitt East. Ryan and Robert are both playing on scholarships at Tusculum University in Greenville, Tennessee. Justin is studying sport management at the University of Kentucky. The younger set are up and comers, all in middle school in Bullitt County. The two middle grandchildren, twins Chase and Jade Troutman, are making their marks on the sports scene as sophomores at Bullitt East.
Polite and well spoken, Chase and Jade Troutman seem absolutely sure of their convictions. Jade, the younger of the twins by four minutes, doesn’t recall a day when sports weren’t a part of her life.
Participating at the varsity level in volleyball, basketball and track, she came in 2nd in state last year as a high jumper. Jade was the MVP in volleyball for the 2007 season and her team came in 3rd in the Lady of the South basketball tournament in Bowling Green this year. Although she loves all three sports, volleyball is her favorite because, “It’s just so much fun.” She says her most exciting moments are “winning as a team. If I was by myself, I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.”
At school, Jade is on track to earn a 4.0 GPA. “It’s pointless to go to school and not turn in your work. Just do your homework and you’ll make good grades,” she says. Her parents, Rick Troutman and Laura Allgeier, are very proud of both twins. “You know, they are good kids,” says Rick. “If they are good or not at sports isn’t that important. What’s important is that they get along with others and that they are happy kids – which mine are, and that makes me a proud father.”
The older twin, Chase, is achieving a 4.0 GPA as well. “Staying focused in class by paying attention and just showing a little bit of effort goes a long way,” he says. In addition to academics, he was nominated by his teachers to be a part of the leadership group “UFE – United for East.” The group focuses on making the school a better place. This year they have concentrated on drug and alcohol awareness.
Contrary to his sister, Chase focuses on one sport: basketball. He gave up football to concentrate full time on his “true passion.” Freshman year, Chase was invited to dress with the varsity team in the last three games alongside his role model, cousin Robert Troutman. He says he’s “pretty lucky” that he has not had any injuries or setbacks. However, his year-round weight training, conditioning and open gym certainly help to keep this guard/forward in the best possible shape.
As for his high school basketball career aspirations, Chase’s ultimate goal is to make it to the state tournament, following in the footsteps of his uncles and cousins. In 1973 Jerry and Jimmy Troutman helped Bullitt County bring home their first regional win, advancing them to the state tournament. Fast forward 32 to years to the next Troutman generation, where brothers Ryan and Robert, alongside cousin Justin brought home Bullitt County’s long anticipated second regional championship title in 2005. Making the state tournament is a goal that Chase feels would be “great for the school, great for the team and great for the community.”
College dreams for both twins consist of academic and athletic scholarships. Jade would like to play volleyball, and possibly the other sports, and Chase hopes to play for basketball powerhouses U of L or UK, or possibly Western Kentucky University.
More important than their athletic skills is that all the Troutmans “are a great group of kids -- polite, good grades…the kind of kids you want to take home to meet the parents,” says Coach Steve Small. “They are good young men and women, which there are not enough of in this world. Their passion and focus is on sports and that is a positive,” says Small, a former girls’ basketball coach at Bullitt East who has mentored many a Troutman.
Sisters-in-law Laura Allgeier and Kathy Troutman believe in the family unit. “Growing up in a small community where parental involvement is encouraged and demonstrated daily, as well as growing up watching all of their older cousins who are fantastic role models” has made all the difference in the twins’ and their cousins’ success, says Allgeier.
Adds Kathy Troutman, “All of the cousins are gym rats. Most everyone lives out in Mt. Washington and it’s a constant stream of birthday parties and sleepovers. They mesh well with each other, and all the competitiveness is left on the court.”
|
|
|
|
™
®
