A Legacy of Golden Hawks: The Troop Family

When Ian Troop (BBA ’81) graduated from Laurier in 1981, he likely didn’t imagine that over four decades later, he would watch his daughter Sofia (MA ’24) do the same. Sofia earned her Master of Arts at this Spring’s Convocation, joining her dad and brother Spencer (BA ’13), who played four seasons of football for Laurier, as an alum and solidifying the legacy as a Golden Hawk family.

For Ian, the experience of witnessing his daughter graduate from his alma mater is profoundly significant.

"It feels like there's a bit of a legacy," he says, reflecting on the journey. "It feels familiar in some ways, because Laurier is still in essence what it always was. Watching Sofia walk across that stage was incredibly meaningful.”

Sofia, who grew up hearing countless stories of her father's time at Laurier—his days playing football and his role as a Resident Advisor—echoes this sentiment but adds her own twist.

"I think it's just one more opportunity to show up my dad and beat him at his own game,” she says with a smile. “It's nice to follow in his footsteps, to see where he's been, and to understand why Laurier is so important to him. Now, having walked the same path, I can see why."

This shared experience has fostered a unique bond between father and daughter, rooted in their shared identity as Golden Hawks. However, as Sofia alluded, Ian confirms this bond is not without its competitive edge.

"Of course there's competition, we're both Golden Hawks!”

Ian also reflected on what it was like to send Sofia to school with a little piece of his own Laurier history.

“When Sofia started at school, I gave her my Laurier letterman's jacket. When she wore it, the students were like, ‘Is that a relic or an antique?’ And all I could think was, ‘Oh my God, how old am I?’"

Despite the friendly rivalry, there is a deep sense of pride and connection to Laurier that both Ian and Sofia cherish.

"It's something that we take pride in," Ian explains. "I think it's important to feel like part of the school, and having the school give you that experience and instill the values of what it means to be a Laurier Golden Hawk. And once you're a Hawk, you're always a Hawk."