Troy started playing baseball and basketball early, and at the age of 13 he was given the opportunity to play AAU baseball for the Connecticut Capitals. At Ellington High School Troy played baseball and basketball on the varsity teams and was gearing up to play both sports in his senior year. While on vacation in Rhode Island, he dove in the ocean hitting his head on the sandy bottom and was face down in the water and couldn’t move or yell for help. He was diagnosed with a fracture of the C5 and C6 vertebrae and initially was totally paralyzed, but hard work and dedication resulted in great progress.

Troy was able to matriculate at Western New England University to study Criminal Justice and Homeland Security. He then transferred to the University of New Haven and graduated Cum Laude with a BS in National Security Studies in 2020. As a former recipient, Troy’s family and friends started a golf tournament to assist in his rehabilitation expenses and he donated part of the proceeds to Swim with Mike. He has returned as a scholarship recipient and continues to work while studying for a MS in National Security Studies.

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