A TRUE SAINT: Roecker Bids Farewell to Emmanuel College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Written by Emmanuel Asst. SID Dan Campagna

My journey at Emmanuel College began a little over 12 years ago. I was recruited to play soccer for a brand new men’s program at a small liberal arts college in Boston that had recently converted from an all-female college to a co-ed institution. Around that same time, another Saint was just beginning her journey at Emmanuel. Her name was Pamela Roecker. Little did we know that our paths would cross a few times throughout the journey and ultimately, I’m very thankful that they did as we both took a chance on the little plot of land at 400 The Fenway.

Back in 2003, Emmanuel was not the same place it is today. Enrollment was closer to 800 total students, the Jean Yawkey Center did not yet exist and amidst the transition of men, the College was searching for an identity. It was a time of change and Pam’s arrival at the College came at just the right time.

I remember walking into the Athletic Offices in the basement of Saint Joseph’s Hall during my first pre-season and seeking out Alexis Mastronardi, the Sports Information Director, and begging her for a work-study job. She graciously hired me and shortly after I learned that there was also an on-going search for a full-time Athletic Director. Knowing that this position’s hire would have a huge impact in shaping the growth of Emmanuel Athletics, I inquired about being a part of the student-committee tasked with sitting in on some of the interviews of potential candidates.

Over the course of a few weeks, I sat in on a few of the interviews with fellow student-athletes, run by members of the Emmanuel staff and community. I remember thinking to myself that some of these candidates just didn’t get it. One of them inquired about adding football so that ticket revenues could self-subsidize the department’s entire budget while another wondered if nighttime game-coverage was mandatory. After one of these awful interviews and a tough loss on the soccer field, I even remember calling home and telling my father that I was going to transfer because there was no hope for the future of the Athletic Department. That was how I felt, until I met Pam.

Pam immediately became a favorite among the student-athletes on the search committee. Her outgoing and open personality made it easy for students to make a connection while her pedigree in collegiate athletics was among the best in the applicant pool. She was the clear favorite and 12 years later not much has changed as Pam continues to be one of the most well-respected and liked personalities throughout the entire Emmanuel community.

So Pam began her journey as the new Athletic Director during the fall of 2003 and I continued mine as a student-athlete, deciding to stay at Emmanuel knowing that the department was in great hands. Hands that would help shape the next 12 years of growth and development of the department while providing countless intangibles along the way to hundreds of student-athletes including myself. I graduated from Emmanuel in 2007 knowing that I wanted to work in collegiate athletics because of people like Pam. She was a role model and the reason why I now aspire to one day call myself an Athletic Director.

Pam was just getting started as I (briefly) said goodbye to Emmanuel. She was busy being an instrumental part in the Roberto Clemente Field turf project that came to fruition in 2009. She also was the driving force behind the addition of three more varsity sports in Men’s Golf, Men’s Lacrosse and Women’s Lacrosse.

And in 2011, she brought me back to Emmanuel so that our paths crossed again, hiring me as the Assistant Sports Information Director and giving me a chance to start my career in the Athletic Administration world.In 2010, she joined the Emmanuel faculty teaching a Sports Management course, sharing her love and passion of sport with the entire community.

Over the last four years, I’ve been a sponge, learning from and watching Pam in action. A true leader of our ‘small but mighty’ team, Pam has always been the visionary behind the department’s success and it comes across in a big way at all of our home events. The product behind an Emmanuel game-day operation is comparable to any Division I or even professional event, and that’s all because of Pam. It is a priority to provide the Emmanuel student-athlete with the best experience both on and off the field and as someone who has now been on both sides of it, Emmanuel’s success in this category is a direct result to Pam’s dedication to the student-athlete. A leader, professional, mentor, educator, team player, innovator and friend; Pam exemplifies everything that is right about college athletics.

A few weeks ago, Pam pulled me into her office to tell me she had accepted a new position as the Athletic Director as Gann Academy. The end of an era was upon us and I didn’t know how I should feel. Part of me was very excited for Pam knowing that she was going to be able to impact a new community the same way she did at Emmanuel. Part of me was sad that our community would no longer have such a prominent leader to turn to for new ideas or outside the box thinking. And part of me knew that no matter what I felt, I was very fortunate to get the chance to learn and grow under Pam’s guidance for as long as I had.

As we prepare for a new chapter in Emmanuel College Athletics, I can’t help but reminisce a bit over the past 12 years and what an exciting time it has been to be a Saint. It’s been a great run that has included the opening of the Jean Yawkey Center, 19 conference championships, the opening of Clemente Field, two Hall of Fame class inductions and so many other great memories along the way. Many Emmanuel student-athletes will look back to their days with the Saints as some of the best of their lives. I know that I do and that is because people like Pam were around to make sure my experience was a positive one.

Although there may not be a Saint Pamela recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, whenever people hear the name Pam around the Emmanuel College community, they will always consider her to be a true Saint.

Photo (top, right): Roecker was honored last month with the 2015 GNAC Commissioner's Award, presented by longtime Commissioner Joe Walsh.