"He was definitely my favorite player I ever coached," said Bruce McLane, who, along with Mike Tolkin, coached the NYAC and is coaching there again. "He brought out the best in everyone, A, B, or C side. He worked extras with anyone and did them himself if no one joined. He always had sets of bands for groups and would make you hold a band for his banded hill sprints and he'd hold for you, too. Most importantly he made everyone feel welcome and an important part of the team no matter what their experience or ability level; he focused on improvement."

A hard worker on the field, skilled pheasant hunter, and a super-intense Scrabble player, Bartley was also very honest with himself as an athlete.

"He retired from NYAC because he was too often the second man to the breakdown," said McLane. "And his standards were his being the first. Even when I said I was cool with that, he just decided that was it and he went to play and coach a great program at Morris, which he loved doing. I've never before nor since seen anyone like him. I absolutely loved him as a man and a player and I told him that often." 

Bartley had recently decided to step away from coaching at Morris in order to assist McLane and Mike Tolkin at NYAC.

He was hugely popular at Morris.

"We are all devastated on the passing of Troy who was a longtime member of the Morris Rugby family," said Morris Rugby Club President Andrea Matthews." He originally played for our men's team and more recently was a part of the masters—old boys—team. Troy was also a big part of our touch rugby community which includes all ages and genders and meets regularly every Sunday year round as well as Thursday evenings during the summer. Troy had stepped down as Head Coach of the High School Boys team recently after taking the team to the State Championship. He will be very sadly missed."

John Sutherland with Morris Rugby sent GRR this on behalf of the Morris Rugby Club:

---

Troy Bartley came to Morris Rugby Club bringing his experience and passion for the game after having played at the highest levels of both College and Club Rugby in the U.S. Playing for Morris Men, 7's and 15's, Morris Old Boys, Coaching Boys U12 through U18, earning NJ Rugby Championships in 7's and 15's along the way, such was his contribution to our club success. 

But beyond the rugby success, was the person, the man, Troy Bartley - what follows are statements from his teammates and friends, which provide a more reflective and insightful reflection of the contributions he made to Morris Rugby:

"Spent early days getting my ass kicked by Troy in the front row, hated scrum time, but that's not how I remember him, since he was the nicest guy off the field. He always had a big smile and was quick to hand you a beer after"

"Great mate - Troy was one of the first people I met at Morris and one of the reasons I stayed with the club"

"Troy was a big part of his development as a player, as he was with many of the boys in our U14 and HS programs"

"He was a great competitor, and an even better friend. He will be missed both on and off the pitch"

"He was a fantastic person all around"

"Troy was humble and never looked for the spotlight"

"This year's New Year's Resolution is going to be easy-"What would Troy do? Strive to be better and give more!"

"His intensity was infectious and he always raised the level of play when he was around"

"I always felt bad for whoever was lined up in front of him"

"I can always hear him yelling "Gregan" to me as I picked up the ball from the base of a tackle"

"What was Troy's favorite beer? I think Troy's beer just had to be wet"

"Troy was an infectious person.. his laugh, smile and attitude toward life and rugby was an inspiration as a player and a coach"

"Great passion for the game and for the next generation of players"

"One of the best coaches ever that showed me rugby is a lot more than a game"

"Unders!"

"There aren't too many people on the planet that have the passion for rugby that Troy had. He leaves a legacy of boys he coached that will go on to do many great things in life, not in any small part due to his instructions and guidance"

Troy would always bring the energy to Touch when no one else was hyped"

"Remember when he would line up in his 3-point stance on the tackle line at Touch? God, he loved Touch"

"If ever someone can prove Rugby is the "Game Played in Heaven", it's Troy"

---

It is possible that repeated concussions played a role in Bartley's death, and we at GRR encourage anyone who has suffered repeated concussions, even if they are retired players, to continue to get medical assessments of how their bodies are responding to post-concussions issues and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). The family has asked for donations to CTE Research.

Suggestions as to where you might donate are:

The Brain Trauma Foundation Link Here>>

Boston University CTE Research Center Link Here>>

The Brain Injury Association of America Link Here>>