Coach/Mentor: Nolan Routt is Queen Creek's Hometown Hero for February

Nolan Routt has devoted his time to coaching baseball to the kids in Queen Creek for almost a decade.

“As a loving father of our two boys, aged 12 and 7, he has not only been a coach but also a mentor and role model to many young athletes in our community,” Routt’s wife, Megan, wrote in nominating her husband.

Nolan Routt currently serves as a director and board member for Southeast Valley Pony Baseball, where he works to ensure that every child has the chance to learn and enjoy the game.

He has also been working with the Queen Creek Town Council to enhance field availability and streamline the processes for booking fields, addressing the challenges that come as the town grows.

“His commitment goes far beyond the field; he is truly invested in teaching the youth the fundamentals of baseball while instilling a genuine love for the game that he has cherished throughout his life,” Megan Routt wrote.

Name: Nolan Routt

Age: 37

Town/Neighborhood: Gateway Quarters 

When and why I moved here: August 2014. I moved here for work. My company at the time opened a branch in Phoenix and I was tasked with getting it up and running. 

What I like about living here: I love the people of Queen Creek. Growing up in Southern California I never got to experience the small-town feeling and I love everything about it. It is fun and exciting to be a part of such a rapidly growing community.  

What I do: I own an epoxy flooring company and am beginning a new venture in real estate.

Personal background highlights: I have had a love for baseball since I was about 3 years old. I played baseball through a couple of seasons in college and coached a few years of high school baseball at Sage Hill High School in Newport Coast, California.  

Professional background highlights: I have experience in a variety of fields professionally. I have owned an aesthetic recruiting company, flooring company, I have worked as a welder, pipe fitter, as well as many other fields.  

What I like most about what I do: I love the flexibility that my career provides me. I am able to drop off and pick up both of my sons from school and spend real quality time with them every day.  

What does being nominated for this category mean to you? It means a lot! I've never been recognized in this way and it is very humbling. I take a lot of pride in what I do, and it means a lot that I was nominated for this category.  

What does it mean to be a Queen Creek resident? It means that I, along with all other community members, hold an important responsibility to pass on an even better Queen Creek to the next generation. With a growing town like this, it really takes everyone to keep it moving in a positive direction.  

What do you think you bring to the local community that makes it better? I have a tenacity when it comes to bettering our community that I believe is important to have when trying to build a community. This being a strong community currently, it takes persistence and hard work to build a community like this. I believe I bring the kind of persistence necessary.  

What would you tell people about why it's important to make a difference in Queen Creek? I believe it is important to make a difference because this is the town that we all call home. As community members it is up to all of us to make up the integrity and keep up progress of the town.  

Changes I'd like to see in this area: I would like to see more streamlined communication between the town leaders and its community members. I would also like to see less congested streets.  

Favorite community cause and why: I am currently in the middle of trying to acquire more baseball fields for practices and games for our local baseball league. I have been to multiple town council meetings, and I have enjoyed working with the members of our town's leadership.  

My family: Wife, Megan Routt. Son, Adam Routt (12 years old). Son, Luke Routt (7 years old) and my brother Sean Routt (27 years old).  

My interests and hobbies: Sports, spending time with family and I absolutely love taking road trips with my wife and kids. 

The trait(s) I admire in others: Honesty, persistence and loyalty.  

People who inspired me and how: The people in my life that have inspired me the most have to be my wife and kids. My wife has worked harder than anyone I know to become the best nurse possible. Her love for her line of work and dedication to her patients is unmatched by anyone I’ve ever met. 

My guiding philosophy: If you work hard, there is no such thing as luck. You create your own luck.  

My advice to today's youth: Always appreciate the people around you that are in your corner. Also, enjoy being a kid! Don't take life too seriously until you have to. Have fun, make good friends and never allow anyone to dictate your self-perception. 

The Queen Creek Independent is pleased to announce Nolan Routt as the February 2025 Hometown Hero bestowed in the category of Mentor/Coach .  The Queen Creek Independent along with East Valley Institute of Technology and the Queen Creek Olive Mill salute Mr. Routt as this month's Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards recipient.