Norwich University

Roche, a men’s basketball standout, remains closely connected with the Cadets. The former two-time captain and 1984-85 Most Valuable Player is a co-organizer and strong supporter of the Hockenbury golf tournament. Roche is a member of Norwich’s 1,000-point club and helped guide the 1984-85 team to the NCAA Division III tournament. 

Roche's memories of his playing career at Norwich center around former head coach, the late Ed Hockenbury. 

"Everything about Norwich, to me, deals with Coach and his relationship with us," he said. "He took a team of guys from many different backgrounds and brought them together. He always knew that things weren't just black and white in regards to situations. There was always variables and different backgrounds for every player he coached." 

Roche's fondest on-court memory dealt with being on the first Cadets' team that qualified for the NCAA Division III national tournament in 1983-84.  "That was a tremendous experience," he recalled. "To be playing at home in the NCAA tournament was special. We played a great Clark team, who made it to the finals, to a narrow loss that went back and forth." 

"As far as another playing memory, it was also neat to be able to be successful against a program Saint Michael's," he added. "We beat them three of four times when I was in school." 

Roche also enjoys the relationship with his teammates. "We've always been a tight-knit group," he said. "We remain in strong contact and several of them are here today which makes this day very special."