Memorial set for Urbana 11-year-old who died playing basketball

Troy’s tragic death rocked the community and his family.

His cousin, Auicia Andrews, said she didn’t realize how difficult dealing with Troy’s death would be until months later and admitted she had to seek help to cope.

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“I’ve been taking little signs of things of cardinals and dragonflies and butterflies and I believe that’s him,” she said. “I know he’s watching over us, and I miss him.”

Her young son was with Troy the day he died. Andrews said he still struggles to talk about what happened.

Troy had a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) which caused a sudden cardiac death.

HCM is the most common cause of sudden death in young competitive athletes, according to the World Journal of Cardiology.

By all accounts, Troy was happy and healthy — and for his entire life the disease went undetected until it was too late.

His family is now advocating for every school district to require CT scans on athletes’ hearts as part of routine sports physicals.

“We would like for Urbana to start with this,” Andrews said. “You never know.”

Over the last year, the community has been working to make sure Troy is not forgotten. Immediately following his death, basketball teams around the Miami Valley started wearing ‘#8’ on their shoes, jerseys and wristbands.

Besides being a rising athlete on the basketball court, Troy was also known for his infectious smile that his family has said in the past could instantly turn their mood around.

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“He was always happy. Always. Literally — he was smiling when he came into this world,” said Troy’s nana, Rhonda Rogan.

In June, Urbana Junior High School gave out the first ever ‘Troy Byrd Smiles’ Award that is awarded to two students who remain positive in difficult times.

Until the award is given out the next year, it sits in the same case as the school’s basketball trophies.

A celebration of Troy’s life is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at Oakdale Cemetery in Urbana. Those who attend are encouraged to bring red and blue balloons in honor of Troy’s favorite colors.