Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From all 50 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Tristan Degen '14
Tristan Degen ’14 is an active alumni Class Agent and a member of the Young Alumni Shamrock Society. He may be the only Trinity alumnus to attend the University of Maine.
Tristan came to Trinity from Christian Academy of Louisville at the start of his sophomore year. He quickly got involved at his new school. Tristan was a member of Seton House and participated in football, powerlifting and wrestling. He started on the offensive line for the Football Rocks but was moved to defensive line. Tristan was a member of the Rocks’ 2011 and ’12 state championship teams. The 2011 team also won a national championship.
“It was a privilege to be a part of such a talented and disciplined group and to have our work result in state and national titles,” Tristan said.
‘Trinity helped me step out of my comfort zone’
Tristan remembers his Trinity years being exciting and busy. There was always a new challenge – academically, athletically or personal or spiritual growth.
“Trinity was an incredible growth incubator for me,” Tristan said. “There were so many opportunities and choices available in the course catalog and extracurricular activities. I felt my teachers and coaches genuinely cared, and they were always willing to offer guidance. With a variety of options and positive leadership, I feel Trinity helped me step out of my comfort zone. Ultimately, I learned to seek out and embrace challenges as growth opportunities.”
Tristan also fondly remembers his coaches, especially former head football coach Bob Beatty H’03, former assistant football coach Mickey Kalbhin H’97 and powerlifting coach Bob Maddox H’07.
“I loved their old-school approach,” Tristan said. “I had a great appreciation for their track records coaching athletes up to championship levels of competition.”
Trinity English teachers John Kahl ’69 and Rob Seng ’85 are among his favorites.
“Mr. Kahl had one of the most comprehensive courses I took at Trinity,” Tristan said. “Mr. Seng had the best summer reading list of all time. It included World War Z, a choice of Michael Crichton novels and The Hunger Games.”
After graduating from Trinity in 2014, Tristan attended the University of Maine. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marine science with a biology focus in 2018. He remained at UMaine for another year and a half while working toward his MBA. He was also the graduate assistant for the Department of Campus Recreation. In the spring of 2020, Tristan returned to Louisville where he began working for his current employer, Telecom Decision Makers (TDM, Inc.).
TDM helps business clients procure, design, implement and manage technology solutions. Its services include business phone systems, telecom expense management, wireless networking, disaster recovery, cloud solutions, and security services.
Young alumni connection
Tristan got involved with the Trinity Alumni Association soon after returning to Louisville. He attended a Young Alumni Shamrock Society (YASS) event and became more interested in volunteering. He signed up as a Class Agent and has volunteered for the Alumni Phonathon, Alumni Business Circle luncheons, Alumni-Family Easter Egg Hunt, Alumni Golf Scramble and Trinity’s annual Open House for prospective families. He also serves on the YASS Committee. The YASS is for alumni who graduated in the last 15 years (classes of 2010-25). It hosts quarterly events for alumni in this age group.
“I stay involved with Trinity because my high school experience had such a positive impact on my life,” Tristan said. “I feel extremely fortunate to have had the Trinity experience. Therefore, I think one of the most important functions of the Young Alumni Shamrock Society is helping facilitate the experience for future Trinity students through volunteer activities and Annual Fund (student financial aid) contributions. I contribute to the Annual Fund because financial aid provides an opportunity for more young men to have, what I believe to be, an elevated high school experience at Trinity.”
Tristan encourages young alumni to get involved with the YASS.
“You get to meet a lot of great people,” he said. “Alumni can socialize and expand their network at the same time. We help each other out. I’ve made some great connections and the events are fun.”