Mr. Kenny Truster, a longtime educator and coach at Riverside, will retire at the end of the school year after more than five decades of service.
He began teaching at Riverside during the 1973–1974 school year and has since coached 30 seasons of sports, including high school football, junior high football, high school track, junior high basketball, and freshman basketball.
He also served as the school’s Driver’s Education instructor from 1975–1978, 1981–1983, and in 1986.
In 2019, the high school gymnasium was officially named the Kenny “T” Truster Gymnasium in his honor.
Around the same time, the school introduced the “T-Bone 3v3 Classic,” a fun event where junior high and high school students form teams—including staff members—to compete in a basketball tournament for bragging rights.
Known for his memorable “Trusterisms,” such as “Be like me, be drug free,” “Welcome to the School of Knowledge,” and “Breakfast of Champions,” Mr. Truster is also fondly remembered for rewarding students with Blow Pop suckers for making free throws and three-pointers.
Truster says he has plans after retirement:
A card shower is being organized in his honor, with former students encouraged to submit cards noting their graduation year to reflect the time period he impacted their lives.
Cards can be dropped off at Riverside Schools in DeGraff, OR, mailed to the High School Office, 2096 County Road 24 South, DeGraff, Ohio 43318, BEFORE May 22nd.
While he has requested no large recognition, his legacy remains deeply woven into the fabric of Riverside’s history.
Superintendent Scott Mann talks about Mr. Truster’s legacy:
Congratulations, Mr. Truster, and best wishes!
