Troy Bledsoe, a longtime Friend, Coach and Professor of Fort Lewis College, passed away December 30, 2009 at the age of 83 in Grand Junction, CO.
In 1974 Troy took the job as the Athletic Director and Chairman of the Exercise Science Department at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He remained in that position until he retired in 1993. While at Fort Lewis he coached the golf team for 19 years and in 1991-92, the team won the NAIA District VII Championship and qualified for Nationals. For a brief period, he coached the women's basketball team, and advanced them to three straight NAIA District VII Playoffs. He coached FLC to its first RMAC title in 1982-83 and guided the program to its first-ever 20-win season in 1984-85. He was promoted from associate professor to professor in 1983 and became professor of exercise science emeritus upon his retirement in 1992.
He was a member and served on the board of the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors. He was inducted into the Fort Lewis College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995, the Hendrix College Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2004.
President Bartel said, “Troy Bledsoe was an important part of history at Fort Lewis College. We look forward to carrying forth his tradition of excellence in both academics and athletics. He will be sorely missed by all”.
Fort Lewis College Athletic Director Kelly Higgins noted, “The Skyhawk Athletic family lost a legendary figure in Dr. Bledsoe. He cared deeply about the program and we are deeply honored the Bledsoe family would continue to think of the Skyhawk Athletic Department at this time”.
Exercise Science Chair, Dr. Paul Petersen added, “Troy was a mentor and a role model to me. I've implemented a lot of Troy's philosophies and teaching methods in the ES Department. The amount of care and effort that Troy put into not only the ES Department but also the Athletic Department is his legacy at Fort Lewis. His influence is still alive at Fort Lewis and I will miss him as a friend and a colleague”.
FLC professor and former women's basketball coach Cathy Simbeck also commented, “Troy Bledsoe was a great mentor and friend who I will miss dearly. I will forever be indebted to him for bringing me to Fort Lewis College and Durango. He taught me a lot through his actions and words about cooperating with other people without compromising my principles and how to manage a team and program. I remember him saying to me early in my college coaching career that you “catch more flies with sugar than salt”! He was always approachable, caring, and a strong advocate for FLC athletics and the Exercise Science Dept.
A memorial celebration of Troy's life will be held on Saturday January 16th at 1:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction, CO. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Troy Bledsoe Scholastic-Athletic Scholarship Fund at Fort Lewis College or to the Gideon's International. Troy will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
