An appropriate title for this profile is “I was there” because it accurately describes Troy Riley’s role in the early days of GCC. In fact, he was part of the college before it was named Glendale Community College, during which time the campus was being built and classes were held in sites at Camelback and 16th street and on West Maryland Avenue.
His memory of the college, the faculty, administration, and fellow students is vast. Not only does he know every person’s name, but he has a story to tell about each of them. From Phil Randolph – an early president of GCC, to Tom Horseman - GCC’s first student council president, Troy describes time spent with both. For example, Troy talked about how Phil Randolph grew up on a farm that is immediately adjacent to GCC and how he spent his childhood playing on what is now the main campus; back then it was farmland, irrigation canals and citrus groves. Of all the stories that Troy shared, there is one that shined though; the story of how the GCC Gaucho came to be.
Troy relates it this way. “I was a Social Commissioner for the college, so I participated in Student Council meetings. The students were charged with coming up with the school mascot. We wanted something that was unique, prideful, was reflective of the ranches and farms that surrounded the campus, and lastly, we wanted to acknowledge the vibrant Hispanic culture in the area.” Stated Troy. After many ideas and numerous votes, it was agreed to go with the Gaucho. “Immediately after the decision was made, we started working on the design.” Sharing images of the first incarnation of the school mascot, Troy points out the determined expression of the Gaucho astride a horse, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, scarf, poncho, bombachas, and boots, while wielding a boleadora lasso.
One thing that is obvious when talking to Troy is his immense pride at being a GCC Gaucho. He shared some early memories, “The campus community was small and I got to know everyone. We students were able to spend time with professors and senior administrators. I would have coffee with the school president and he would ask us students what we thought the college should be like.”
Troy’s route to GCC was an interesting one. After graduating from Ajo High School, he took a summer job at a Girl Scout Camp in California and many of the people he worked with were coeds at UCLA. “They were the ones who encouraged me to go to college,” Troy admitted. He returned to Phoenix when the job ended for the season and made his way to Maricopa Community Colleges to enroll. Phoenix College was full so they assigned him to GCC. He recalls taking sociology, and algebra, and admittedly not doing very well but earning passing grades. Troy’s time at GCC wasn’t all academic; in addition to the Student Council, he was in the choir. One of his extra-curricular activities was playing in a band with Tom Horseman, called Tommy G and the Alibi’s, which gave him the opportunity to perform with Hub Cap and the Wheels – of Wallace and Ladmo fame.
After GCC, Troy had a short stint in the Army, and then worked at Smitty’s where he managed the camera department. From there he became a jewelry designer for Lawson’s and Gold Art Creations. In his free-time he taught Judo; he estimates that over the years he trained 50,000 students in martial arts.
Thank you, Troy, for sharing your many stories, for helping make the Gaucho as GCC’s mascot, and for being a proud GCC Gaucho.