By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series was created to learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Crestwood High School athletic director Troy Spiker, who is in his third year at the school.

Q: Hometown?

A: Rootstown, Ohio.

Q: High school?

A: Rootstown High School. Class of 2008. Played football, wrestled and ran track and field.

Q: College:

A: Undergraduate for nursing at Capital University (Class of 2012). Masters in athletic administration at William Woods (Class of 2021).

Q: Current occupation?

A: Athletic Director for Crestwood Local School District.

Q: What inspired you to go into education?

A: Having former athletes that I have coached come back and express their gratitude for the mentoring and growing relationship as they have entered adulthood/professional lives.

Q: What makes working at Crestwood special to you?

A: The leadership and people of the district, seeing and feeling the potential for this district, community and athletic department and facilities.

Q: Who is your biggest influence as a coach?

A: Mark Geis. When I was a senior in high school, I had little aspirations of playing football in college. Mark was my positional coach and without his efforts in getting me set up for a recruiting trip to Capital University, I probably would not have played in college. He also offered me my first coaching job of my career.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: People that have played with me, coached me or with me, all know that I absolutly struggle catching a football. But, in college, I had four interceptions.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: The Ozarks.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Just pick any movie based off of a true story, with a meaningful narrative and based on athletics.

Q: Favorite music?

A: Modern country.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Barbecue ribs.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Punta cana.

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Corey, JT, Dom, Josh, Matt, Danny.

Q: Favorite motto?

A: Don’t waste the moment.

Q: Describe your educational philosophy?

A: Teaching and helping individuals understand the “why” and “reaction” of their instruction and tasks.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Jersey’s or Town Tavern.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: My English teacher Kelly Morris.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of yourself?

A: Recognize that the world is much larger than you realize, and you need to work and focus harder.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Mark Geis.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Rootstown High School linebackers coach (2012-15); Crestwood High School safeties coach (2016); Southeast High School assistant wrestling coach (2016-17 and 2018-19); Streetsboro High School offensive line and defensive ends (2017); Rootstown High School defensive coordinator (2018-19); Rootstown High School football head coach (2020).

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Cleveland Browns.

Q: Favorite athlete?

A: Nick Chubb.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Working for my dad’s abatement company during the summers of high school through college.

Q: Family member that always gave you the best advice?

A: My dad Gary.

Q: Can you play any instruments?

A: No, but I attempted the trumpet in middle school.

Q: Favorite candy?

A: Fruit flavored Tootsie Rolls.

Q: First car?

A: Ford Ranger.

Q: Best friends?

A: Phillip, Anthony, Kyle.