Hank and Allee Truluck
OCALA, Fla. — It all started freshman year at Forest High School for Hank and Allee Truluck. The two were both born and raised in Ocala. They both were heavily involved in sports growing up and they both went on to have successful careers in high school and in college.
Both of their families knew of each other, but the two met at an open house at FHS during the summer before they started their freshman year. They both had admiration for the other’s ability to shine in their particular sports. For Allee, formerly Stelogeannis, that was softball and volleyball. For Hank, that was football and baseball.
During their first couple of years at Forest, they both had the same circle of friends, which allowed them to get to know each other. By junior year, Hank says the two of them were best friends.
“My family loved Allee and having two little sisters (Claire, who now plays beach volleyball at Forest, and Emma, who plays indoor volleyball for the Wildcats), who wanted to be volleyball players, they looked up to Allee,” he said. “She was the greatest role model for them back then and she still is today.”
By the time the two of them were seniors, they both were at the top of their game in their respective sports at Forest. Hank was finishing off a career that included two district championships. He had grown up playing baseball his whole life – starting at Jervey, Highlands, travel ball with the Central Florida Jr. Patriots and travel ball for the The Juice (coached by Chet Lemon).
For Allee, she was polishing off a career as a Wildcat in volleyball that included two district championships of her own, as well as a First-Team All-Area selection and a Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State selection for three seasons. She hadn’t given up softball until the start of her junior year. She played travel softball for the Ocala Gold and Team North Florida. She played club volleyball for the Marion County Juniors and Ocala Power.
When it came time to decide where they’d be playing in college, the two confided in each other.
“Allee was one of the first people I told that I had made my decision to commit to FSU,” Hank said, “and we signed our National Letter of Intent together in the Forest Cafeteria on National Signing Day.”
While Hank was heading to Tallahassee to become a Seminole, Allee was heading south to the University of Tampa.
“The University of Tampa showed up on my radar my sophomore year of high school when I attended their summer camps with my high school volleyball team,” Allee said. “I committed to them my junior year, with my now husband, right by my side committing to play baseball for FSU on our signing day.”
After graduating from Forest, the two went their separate ways, but stayed in constant contact.
Allee made a name for herself at UT as she was a part of three Sunshine State Conference Championships, two South Region Championships and she was a member of the 2014 National Championship team.
“Being able to be a part of that moment is something I will cherish forever,” she said.
When she finished her senior year at UT, Allee racked up some pretty prestigious accolades, including being named the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. She was also the recipient of the Tampa Sports Club Female Athlete of the Year for the University of Tampa.
While at FSU, Hank made starts at six different positions – second base, third base, left field, right field, center field and designated hitter – earning the respect of a lot of his teammates and coaches for his willingness to play anywhere.
The Seminoles won the ACC Championship in 2015 and again in 2017 – Hank’s senior year. That year, FSU made it to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
“My baseball career ended in Omaha, Nebraska at the 2017 College World Series,” said Hank, who finished his career as a Seminole with a .253 batting average, two home runs and a .419 on-base percentage. “I was a four-year letterman at FSU, playing in 145 games and starting in 33 games as a ‘Nole.
“It is humbling to be able to say that the last time I stepped on the field was in Omaha at the College World Series.”
But Hank’s proudest accomplishment came during the winter break of 2013 – both of their freshman seasons in college.
“When we were back in Ocala for Christmas break freshman year, I knew that I would be making a big mistake if I were to let an amazing girl like Allee slip away,” Hank said. “So I asked her to be my girlfriend.”
“…We started dating in college after completely denying that we would ever date in high school,” Allee added.
The two then dated long distance for their remaining time in college. It worked out well since Allee’s season was in the fall, allowing Hank to visit her in Tampa during his offseason. Then Allee would visit Hank in Tallahassee during the spring, while Hank was playing baseball.
Then, seven months after they graduated, Hank proposed to Allee. They got married 11 months later in Ocala and moved to Fort Myers so Allee could finish her doctorate degree in physical therapy at Florida Gulf Coast University. She also coached part-time for the USA South Volleyball club.
Hank works in the field of orthopedic device sales for a company called Arthrosurface. He loves it because it is fast paced and a competitive environment. His wife sees a man who is, and always has, been selfless.
“(Hank) is an incredible teammate that many people look up to in times of need,” said Allee, who also added that Hank would never “in a million years” say these things about himself. “He goes out of his way to help other people, works harder than anyone I know and expects nothing in return.”
Allee also admits that things in their house are still very competitive. But she also cedes that Hank is the better storyteller…as much as it pains her to admit it. However, the two look forward to spending the rest of their lives together.
“We look forward to all of the struggles, successes, mistakes, happiness and lessons learned in our future,” Allee said. “We are grateful for every person who has been there along the way to make it happen!”
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