Employee Spotlight
Albert Roche
Director, Athletics & Recreation (retired)
We were a team from the get-go,” laughed Albert. “We were a pretty active family, and there was always an excuse to grab a hockey stick, a ball mitt, or a golf club to get a game going. There was a lot of time dedicated to play and practice – it was just the nature of our family. I had a very supportive family who put that work in.”
In 2004, the addition of varsity athletics at Holland College was announced. In 2006, the Hurricanes entered the world of varsity sports as a member of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) and became the first community college to join the Atlantic Colleges Athletics Association (ACAA). Albert was involved in building the athletics program from the beginning.
In 2004, the addition of varsity athletics at Holland College was announced. In 2006, the Hurricanes entered the world of varsity sports as a member of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) and became the first community college to join the Atlantic Colleges Athletics Association (ACAA). Albert was involved in building the athletics program from the beginning.
“One thing we wanted from very early on was to be thought of as a small school with a big personality and I think the success of our athletics program has helped accomplish that,” said Albert. “We compete on the national stage, and we’re seen as a school that punches above its weight. We’ve been winning championships and we’ve been setting the standard across the country for academic achievements by our student athletes, which is something we can all take pride in.”
Albert has every reason to be proud. Just last year, 113 Hurricane student-athletes earned national recognition as CCAA Academic All Canadian Athletes for demonstrating excellence in their programs and on their teams.
Albert began donating to the Holland College Foundation in 2010, because he knows the impact it has on the students.
“The great thing is, you can see it in the halls. You can see the students working hard, looking toward the future, and you know you had a hand in making that a little bit more accessible for them. That can look different for every employee - I chose to give to Athletics because that’s where my passion lies, but you can choose to donate to a specific area that’s near and dear to your own heart.”
“I think giving to the Holland College Foundation is an easy way to contribute to the college, to enrich the student experience, and to celebrate the fact that we have a tremendous place to work,” said Albert.
Albert and his wife Lisa enjoy spending their time in Launching, and with their son Brooks and his partner, Janique, along with son Logan, his wife, Jessica, and with their beautiful new granddaughter, Winnie.