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CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID
This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2018. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.
Rachel Roche - University of Redlands Assistant Athletics Director - Sports Information/Senior Woman Administrator
by Barb Kowal - CoSIDA, Director of External Affairs and Professional Development
Rachel and Geoff Roche with their daughter
Kenzie on the first day of school in 2018.
Rachel Roche serves as Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Athletics Director-Sports Information at NCAA Division III University of Redlands, located 70 miles due east of Los Angeles and nestled just below the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California. Redlands is a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
She joined the Bulldog staff in 1999, originally serving as the Athletic Facility and Event Coordinator and assistant volleyball coach. A year later, she moved into the role of Assistant Director of Athletics - Sports Information and held both SID and coaching roles until 2006 when she stepped away from the coaching ranks and began her tenure as the Bulldogs' Senior Woman Administrator. In her first year as SWA as she continued her role as SID, Roche was honored with the President's Award for Administrators, which recognizes the Redlands top employees of the year.
Below, she talks about her career, how she and her collegiate tennis coach husband Geoff work to ensure family-work integration, and more about life inside and outside the University of Redlands.
In 140 characters or less, tell us who you are and how you got to where you are today.
Former student-athlete, now "boss lady" with a passion for D3 athletics. Multi-tasker & problem-solver. Mentor. Mom. Wife. Bulldog4Life.
You've had a varied professional career - athletic trainer as undergrad at William & Mary, then Athletic Facility and Event Coordinator and assistant volleyball coach at the Redlands, followed by a move to Assistant AD-Sports Information; then in 2006, relinquishing coaching and becoming SWA. Can you tell us about this transitioning and why?
Athletics has felt like home ever since I was a young student-athlete. When I transferred to William & Mary, my volleyball playing career shifted from varsity to club. I also discovered coaching at the high school and club levels and became an avid fan of the Tribe women's volleyball team. As much I enjoyed it, I knew coaching wasn't my career path so I investigated the inner-workings of intramurals and athletic training as well. That set me on my path for a career in athletics, which is my passion. Returning to Redlands opened a door and I walked through it. The rest is history. As for my moves within the department, I embraced them as they were presented and have enjoyed the ride.
Roche's t-shirt quilt of shirts from my job at
the Redlands.
There are numerous national associations - CoSIDA, NACDA, Women Leaders in College Sports - that you belong to. Talk about the importance of not just being a member, but being an involved member, attending conventions, the HERS Institute, serving on committees, etc.?
I feel I have a lot to offer others and I love to learn. Being involved is a great way to satisfy both of these needs. Plus, as a woman in a male-dominated profession, it has been important for me to network with other women and to be a resource for others. The HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement through (formerly) NACWAA- now Women Leaders in College Sports - was life-changing in the sense that the women there showed me I could also be a mom in this profession. They gave me the push to have a family and remain in the business.
You are a husband-wife team among the Redlands athletic teams, with your husband Geoff serving as men's and women's tennis coach and you as an administrator. What's that like, working in the same department and overseeing publicity for your husband's program? How do you balance the demands of family and athletic duties?
It's all we know! We met in the department and have worked together ever since. We are one of two husband-wife teams at Redlands so we're in good company. Our offices are in different parts of the building so we can easily not see each other on any given day. I work very hard to treat all of our programs equally, including those that my husband oversees. It has been a positive experience for us; we truly "get" what the other person does and understands the ins and outs of each other's jobs.
Balancing has been tough, particularly in the spring. During the fall, Geoff picks up my slack, but I don't have an off-season. We rely on our very generous and loving village of family, student-athletes, and friends to manage everything. Our daughter Kenzie has learned to be flexible and go with the flow. She supports the Bulldogs and often leaves me notes for when I get home from a long night and asks, "Did the Dawgs win?"
How old is your daughter Kenzie? Is she interested in her parent's work/sports? Or not?
Kenzie is 10 years old and is a fifth-grader. Currently, she wants to be a chef and own her own restaurant. I think she is interested in my work and likes to "help" me when she can. She has spent plenty of hours on the sidelines or in the press box! There are other kids in the department so she benefits from that as well. She is fascinated by graphics and Photoshop so I've taught her a few things. She also loves math so maybe she'll appreciate stats someday.
Lots of young women in college athletics - and many in CoSIDA - believe they hit a crossroads in their career when thinking about how to blend and balance a family and a career in athletics when facing a seven-days-a-week job at times. They question whether this career is for them and if it is, how exactly will they manage things inside and outside of work. Can you offer some tips or suggestions on work-life integration, especially as a parent?
Like I said, attending the HERS Institute changed my life. I spoke to Suzette McQueen [formerly of Davidson College and now the Senior Associate Commissioner at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association] and at the time she had just had a baby. I didn't think it was plausible to continue my career, which I loved, and be a mom. I was at a crossroads; mom or career, or both? Suzette inspired me. She said to just do it and figure it out as you go. You never have all of the answers beforehand; I desperately wanted a "plan" for parenting but learned that it doesn't work that way. You just need to go for it ... so we did!
Three months later, I was pregnant and figuring it out one day at a time ... But it truly takes a village!! We have incredible support between my mom, step-sister, friends, student-athletes who babysit for us, and my officemates who never mind if Kenzie hangs out for a few hours.
Advice? Just keep swimming ... Ask for help. Work from home when you need to. Don't be too hard on yourself and delegate. Let go.
With her kickball team, the Recess Rejects, that
won the first-ever kickball championship at
Redlands.
You've carved out time to give back to CoSIDA and NCAA Division III initiatives. You serve on our CoSIDA Scholarship and Grants committee, and you assist with the Women's D3soccer.com Top-25 Poll and on the D3football.com All-America committee. Why is that important to you and what would you say to encourage others in our profession - all with busy busy lives - to get involved in taking on outside volunteer roles and why?
Giving back provides perspective and variety to the job. It keeps things fresh and fun, and provides opportunities for networking. Plus, the West needs better representation! I feel it's my obligation and opportunity to show others that the SCIAC and the West are worthy of consideration. If I don't do it, I don't know who will.
What's the project or campaign that you're proudest of? Why?
Our website. We launched
GoRedlands.com approximately 10 years ago and have since redesigned in twice. It's my legacy and I'm very proud of what it has become.
What's been the biggest high and low of working in college sports?
Biggest high: seeing the student-athletes succeed outside of competition and having the opportunity to celebrate them, like at commencement, Hall of Fames, their weddings, after they became parents, etc. Sure, we love to win. I've seen some remarkable teams compete at a high level. But it's all about the people.
Biggest low: when we're dealing with a disciplinary action against a team for something that should have been avoided. As much as we use athletics as a classroom, sometimes the message gets missed and 18-22 year-olds make bad decisions. It's gut-wrenching to take away opportunities, especially when we have done our due diligence in education. But sometimes it's necessary.
What's one trend in athletic communications (or college athletics) that you are a fan of?
I'm not sure about trends but I do appreciate the consistency and success of NCAA Division III and the student-athletes that it develops. I love the balance of academics, athletics, and community. It's all I have known as an administrator but I really believe in D3.
What do you do outside the office for leisure, relaxation, downtime? You mentioned "travel" and "family and friends time" in your bio but please expound on that.
We take full advantage of any "free time" we have. We love to travel and pack it in every summer. Last summer, we went to Portland, Lake Tahoe, Maui, Montana, and more. Locally, we head to the desert for quick getaways. We gather with family for times shared over a meal. We support nearby food and wine events.
The best part of my job is ...
... Building relationships with coaches, student-athletes, and my staff. Winning is great too. I also love the variety to the work and knowing that we set the standard for how things should be done. We're not perfect but I think I run a pretty tight ship and our coaches appreciate that.
We are asking CoSIDA members we feature during Recognition Week to give us a professional development or personal development "takeaway" - what would yours be?
Strive for excellence every day. Perfection is not the goal; I learned that a long time ago ... Instead, just get better. Win the day. Learn from your mistakes and be better; move forward. Anticipate. Learn to prepare and be prepared to problem-solve.