Trimble Behind the Team: Courtney Trimble's Commitment to Jenks Trojan Football
By: Sydney Koetter
In the middle of it - that's right where you will find Courtney Trimble. Her equipment room, located precisely in the middle of the Robert L. Sharp Health and Fitness Center, places her at the core of the Jenks Trojan football team. Overlapping sounds of the team getting ready to head out for practice and the subtle buzz of the commercial-grade washing machine on its daily cycle are the background noises of success. However, the sound of busyness is nothing unfamiliar to Trimble.
Her 20-year career as the equipment manager for the Jenks Trojan football program has had her immersed in the action of the football team on a different level than most. Her hard work and dedication do not go the least bit unnoticed, especially from those on the inside.
“My gosh, if people knew everything she did,” said Jenks football assistant head coach Josh Elmer. “She’s behind the scenes a lot.”
For Trimble, each week begins with game day in mind. During the week of away games, the preparation begins especially early with packing the equipment truck.
“When we go on the road, I see her on Wednesdays carrying stuff out,” said Elmer. Packing up extra helmets, uniforms, shoulder pads, and camera equipment, and then back to the equipment room for her daily routine.
While many would see overflowing baskets of laundry as a less-than-exciting task, Trimble embraces the mundane with a grateful heart.
“I get to do all the laundry,” said Trimble. And that she does. Each day, every player opens their locker to a clean practice uniform, immediately setting them up for success.
The preparation for game day begins the day before. Going down the roster of names, Trimble folds each player's jersey and pants and then puts their uniform in their locker, where it awaits the game ahead. To her, each one of the roughly 100 players rostered is much more than their number and position, but a face and personality that she knows well.
When asked about the rewarding aspects of her job, Trimble responded without hesitation.
“I would say it’s gotta be the kids,” said Trimble.
Courtney Trimble, flipping through jerseys in preparation for Friday night.
“[On game day], the kids will go to their cubbies, they’ll open up their lockers, all their jerseys will be in there,” said Elmer. “All of that is taken care of by her.”
As a spectator of the game, it’s easy to forget the various tasks involved in the production of Friday night lights. The team, on the other hand, is especially aware of the hard work necessary for a successful evening of football. Producing and recording film of the game is one large piece of the puzzle.
Jenks senior football player, JJ Emmons, said that film is one of the most essential parts of the football team's development.
“We spend more time watching film than we do actually playing football,” said Emmons.
The Jenks linebacker also says that Trimble's involvement in the film as a whole is a key factor in the success and progress that the football team makes throughout the year.
“We would not be where we are without her - at all,” said Emmons.
JJ Emmons (Left) and Josh Elmer (Right) holding notes of appreciation for Mrs. Trimble.
Coach Josh Elmer couldn’t agree more. As he reflects on his career at Jenks, he remembers being welcomed into the Trojan family by Coach Allan Trimble, Mrs. Trimble’s late husband. After moving to Missouri to coach football, Elmer couldn’t help but be drawn back to his Oklahoma roots.
“If you’re gonna come to Oklahoma and coach football, Jenks is the place to be,” said Elmer.
Now, after 12 years at Jenks, Elmer still reflects fondly on the time he spent coaching alongside Coach Trimble. He says that Allan and Courtney both made the kind of impact on the team that goes beyond the football field.
“There are just so many things that they do, that they did, that Coach Trim did on the side that no one ever knew about that were just helping people… no one realizes how much they just help people,” said Elmer. “He did things right”.
Trimble says that still to this day, she feels honored to keep the legacy of Allan alive through the Trimble Strong Foundation.
With an emphasis on helping families with special needs children, the Trimble Strong Foundation has made a huge impact on the community, all led and organized by Trimble and her daughters, Tylar and Tori.
“That was one thing that Allan enjoyed doing was helping families with special needs,” said Trimble.
The Trimble Family (From Left to Right): Morgan Thomas, Courtney Trimble, Allan Trimble, Tori Thomas, Tylar Isenberg, and Carson Isenberg.
Photo Credits: Courtney Trimble
One of the foundation’s largest events, called Extra Mile, gives an evening of childcare to the parents or caretakers of special needs children. Created in 2019 by Coach Trimble, the event has impacted many lives in a positive way.
Today, Allan’s legacy is honored through the foundation, the dedication of the Jenks High School football stadium, a portion of “B” Street now called Allan Trimble Way, and, of course, his daughters and grandchildren.
Caption: A road sign, dedicating a portion of "B" Street to Coach Trimble.
Photo Credits: Trimble Strong Website.
“It just amazes me,” said Trimble.
To learn more about the Trimble Strong Foundation and the transformations they are making in the community and people's lives, visit: trimblestrong.org
