Like any football-loving male, West Nassau head football coach Ricky Armstrong had dreams of having a son who would one day run for touchdowns, strike a Heisman pose afterwards as he celebrated with teammates, and make game saving tackles in front of a cheering stadium full of fans one day. After all, everything in Armstrong’s life practically involved football in one way or another: He played high school football at the same school that he now coaches-West Nassau- married his high school sweetheart, Donna, who was a West Nassau cheerleader, played collegiately at the University of Tennessee- Martin on a football scholarship, even starting at quarterback in his sophomore year for the SkyHawks. So, it just seemed inevitable that when and if Ricky and Donna had kids, that their boys would follow in the footsteps of their athletic father. But, to borrow a phrase from another sport…Life has a way of throwing you a curveball every now and then.
The Armstrong’s are the proud parents of three athletic, sports loving kids. But, things didn’t come easy for the proud couple. According to Armstrong, they tried for the first 10 years of their 26-year marriage to have kids, but were unsuccessful. When they did finally receive the good news that Donna was pregnant, Coach Armstrong just knew that this was finally that son he had thought of- the one that could follow in his footsteps- just as he had done so many times in his playing days. So, when tests revealed the baby would be a girl, Ricky admits he wasn’t sure what to think, or how to feel. After all, they tried for so long, and now, finally, they were having a child. Armstrong thought it was okay. He and Donna would try again, and the next pregnancy would be a boy. But, five years later, following the first child, Bailey, a healthy baby girl, number two would be born, Trinity. So, after being blessed with two beautiful and healthy girls, surely one more try would bring a boy…the odds just had to be in his favor. But, sure enough, the football coach heard the all too familiar news from the doctor…“Congratulations…you’re having another girl!” Thus, Ricky and Donna Armstrong would welcome to the world a third girl. No boys, and so far, none are football players – (you never know!), but, Coach Armstrong and Donna WOULD have three athletes, which should come as no surprise in the Armstrong family.
Meet the Armstrong sisters: Bailey, now 18, Trinity age 13, and Tru, 12 (Kyleigh Tru Armstrong is her full name-she goes by her middle name).
While the three Armstrong girls haven’t yet given football a shot, they are collectively involved in just about every other sport. Bailey, the oldest, loves and plays basketball, despite being only 5’1”. Trinity plays a little bit of everything: She runs track, plays volleyball, and like her big sister, plays basketball; but, it’s softball that she has excelled at: she was selected to the USA Team Florida Softball team 12 and under squad, and traveled with the team to Oklahoma City.
Tru is the youngest of the Armstrong trio. She is just now becoming involved in middle school sports, and like her 13-year old sister, plays several sports including softball, volleyball, and basketball.
Coach Armstrong admits that while he is happy with his sports-loving girls, there was a time he was hoping a boy would come along.
“Yeah, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think a lot about having a boy,” he said. “Each time Donna became pregnant, I’d ask the doctor if he knew the gender of the baby…And every time, it was the same answer: ‘it’s a girl’”. I think it’s only natural when you’ve been involved in football all your life, as I have, you think about having a boy who will play football one day. But, things turned out perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better situation, with three healthy girls. We are very blessed.”
Speaking of Mrs. Armstrong, Donna, serving as wife of a head football coach, as well as mother of three active student-athletes, is truly the “head coach” of the Team Armstrong family.
“She does a lot,” he said. “It’s tough having all of going in different directions. But, Donna keeps us all in line.”
And, speaking of going in different directions, as high school football grows into an almost year-round sport now, Coach Armstrong’s schedule as head coach and supporting father of his girls activities has become quite a challenge. But, the coach makes sure he is there.
“I don’t miss many games at all, but it’s tough,” he said. “With football responsibilities year-round, there’s never really an “off-season” anymore. But, we make it work.”
Coach Armstrong is now beginning his 4th year as head coach of the Warriors of West Nassau. His focus with his football team is trying to improve on last year’s 3-7 season. So far, so good. (At the time of this story, Coach Armstrong and his football warriors were just coming off a 48-0 victory.)
Feature Story
Coach Ricky Armstrong
West Nassau Head Football Coach
By: Phil Jones
