Roach to be added to BU wall of fame

Bradon University will add eight individuals and two teams to the Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame on Sunday, including Doug Roach, whose love of sports has impacted individuals across the Westman region.

“I’m a little surprised,” said Roach. “When I got the call from Tyler (Crayston) I was kind of speechless. I don’t have a lot of words for it, just honoured that they considered me worthy.”

The ceremony — which is presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries — will be held on Sunday at the Victoria Inn Imperial Ballroom. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with brunch at 9 a.m., followed by the ceremony. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Healthy Living Center front desk.

Before joining the BU men’s hockey team, Roach played three years with the Estevan Bruins in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. From 1987 to 1991, he played for BU and was named team MVP in his final season.

He says what he remembers most about his time at BU, other than attending classes, was spending time with his teammates on and off the ice.

“The schooling was pretty big for me too … but hanging out with the guys was probably the biggest thing,” said Roach.

His reliability between the pipes was matched by a fun-loving attitude that resulted in some interesting antics when it was his turn to sit on the bench.

He used to blow in referees’ ears if they got too close to where he sat on the bench, and specialized in sneaking food into his gear to snack on during the game.

“There was one time we played an exhibition game in Deloraine against a team from the States,” said Roach with a chuckle while detailing more of his harmless fun. “I knew I wasn’t going to play, and I knew the rink was cold, so I didn’t have my skates on. I just tied all my equipment on with my boots.

“It wouldn’t have been good if I had to go in because I wouldn’t have been ready.”

At the end of his university career, Roach took up teaching and continued to showcase his love of sports by taking on coaching roles at the local high school in Virden. He currently teaches woodworking and mathematics at Virden Collegiate Institute.

During his tenure, he coached football, hockey and basketball, three sports with seasons that often run into one another. For a short time, he coached badminton as well.

“One of the reasons I wanted to teach at the high school level is because the student-athletes here are more experienced and older and could perform better than, let’s say, a junior high setting,” said Roach.

“I really looked forward to getting my hand into anything I used to play in. I was pretty quick to jump in and help out with pretty much everything.”

Over the many years he taught and coached, he impacted the lives of students and shared with them the experiences he loved as a former athlete. He says he truly enjoys sharing what he knows with people and helping them grow their games.

He says being a teacher and a coach are complementary roles. The teaching schedule helped make coaching possible, and he thought it helped for the kids to see him wearing another hat.

“I know a lot of times I relate my teaching to being a coach,” said Roach. “I don’t like losing, so let’s get better whether it’s on the field or in the classroom; let’s just get better every day.”

When his children grew up, they helped him coach for a few seasons. His son Logan joined him for football and hockey, while his daughters Mackenzie and Brooklyn helped out on the court with the girls’ basketball teams.

“It was good to see them involved, and it was pretty cool coaching with them and chatting back and forth during the game and even outside of the rink or the field about things to get better at or just things to try,” said Roach.

Manitoba Junior Hockey League fans will recognize Roach as the play-by-play voice of the Virden Oil Capitals.

He decided to reach out to the team about coming on as a play-by-play announcer when they were looking for someone to fill the role. He says he felt he could do it because he used to call games in his head in order to stay focused when he tended the crease for BU.

A few years ago, his energetic call of Roux Bazin’s overtime winner made the rounds on social media. TSN and Spittin’ Chiclets even spoke about it glowingly.

“I thought it was quite amusing … It was, in a way, overwhelming in how much response it got,” said Roach. “I was just up there having a good time, and I said something that people thought was funny and it went crazy from there.”

He says there are still kids who wear shirts commemorating his legendary call to this day.

Through his love of sports, Roach has touched the lives of many across Westman as a coach, broadcaster and teacher. At the end of the day, he says he’s just a guy who loves what he does.

“I’m just a regular guy who enjoys sports and passing on my experiences to others,” said Roach. “It’s nice to get thanked for things, but I’m not in it for the recognition … I’m just a guy who enjoys the game and likes to help others improve at what they are doing.”

» rmccarthy@brandonsun.com