MISHAWAKA, Ind. – This Saturday, January 17, a special presentation is planned to take place during halftime of the men’s basketball game where the No. 3 Bethel Pilots take on No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan University in Gates Gymnasium on Bethel’s campus. The game will begin at 3 p.m., and during halftime, former Head Coach Mike Lightfoot will announce the Dave Troyer 51 Scholarship Fund.
For this endowed scholarship, a $51,000 match has already been pledged, with $51,000 to be raised to honor Troyer, who proudly wore number 51 in high school and college, while leaving a lasting mark on the basketball community. A Bethel alumnus who spent his career as a teacher, administrator and student services director at School City of Mishawaka, Troyer passed away suddenly in November of a heart attack, leaving behind his wife and two sons.
While at Bethel, Troyer dominated on the basketball court, guiding the Pilots to their first national championship in 1992 and earning both MCC Player of the Year and All-American honors. He is listed in the Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame, and he is considered by many to be the most dominating scorer in Bethel’s storied basketball program. Troyer was proud of the number 51, and he continued to embrace it as often as he could, even after his basketball career ended.
Troyer’s greatest passion was supporting students who struggled — academically, behaviorally or personally — and helping them find a way to stay engaged in school. He believed every student deserved someone who would listen to, advocate for and refuse to give up on them. Much of his time was spent building relationships, problem-solving alongside families and staff and creating pathways for students to succeed.
Troyer would be proud and honored to know that his legacy lives on through the Dave Troyer 51 Scholarship Fund. All donations made to support this fund will go toward an endowed scholarship that will provide scholarships to students from Mishawaka High School annually. To learn more and give, visit David Troyer 51 Scholarship · GiveCampus.
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