MACOMB, Ill. - Associate Athletics Director J. Dwaine Roche, a longtime administrator with Western Illinois University Athletics, announced his retirement effective June 30th. Roche has helped Leatherneck Athletics reach unprecedented growth in donations and scholarship dollars raised.

For nearly 25 years, Roche's responsibilities included development, marketing, promotions and tickets for Leatherneck Athletics. He directs all Leatherneck Club (formerly Western Athletic Club) functions and fund-raising activities, and has been heavily involved in fund-raising for facility improvements over the past several years. Some of the major projects Roche worked on included: Student-Athlete Academic Advising Center, Football locker room, the track renovation and installation of lights at Hanson Field, creation of the Hall of Fame room inside Western Hall, office complex for the men's and women's basketball coaching staff, and the resurfacing of the tennis courts.

Early in Roche's tenure he helped oversee the merging of the men's and women's programs fund raising efforts to form the then-Western Athletic Club. One of the major events Roche began was the Purple and Gold auction.

Entering its 21st year, Roche said the event began with a simple setting and now it has grown into one of the biggest fund-raising and social events of the year.

"When we first started we put up a tent outside of the old Holiday Inn, had a fish fry and brought in bales of hay and three-row bleachers for people to sit," said Roche. "From there we went to the Union Ballroom but have outgrown that facility, and now we host the event in Western Hall. This is a great way for Western Illinois Athletics to kick off the fall sports season."

Not only is Roche one of the most well-known people at Western Illinois, his voice at athletic events is unmistakable. Not only did Roche serve as the public address announcer at Western Illinois basketball games for nearly 20 years, the 2009 football campaign marked his 39th year as the PA announcer at Hanson Field.

Roche also coordinates the Western Wheels courtesy car program, working closely with automobile dealers throughout the region. He is also a member of the University's Development Council. In 1994 he was named Assistant Athletics Director for Development and Promotions, and was promoted to his current position in 1998.
"I came to Western as a 17 year old kid in 1965. To be given the opportunity to work for almost 25 years at my alma mater has been a thrill. Through the years I have been fortunate to not only know but become friends with many of the "legends of Western".  I've been fortunate to meet and become friends with many colleagues in the profession around the country as well," said Roche. "Probably the most rewarding part of my time at Western has been the special relationships I have been able to develop with fellow administrators, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends. It has been very rewarding to spend so many years working to help provide a quality education and facilities for our outstanding student-athletes. Western has provided my family and I with so many opportunities for which I will always be grateful. As I say, 'There are no former Leathernecks... once a Leatherneck, ALWAYS a Leatherneck' and even though I'm retiring that's how I feel about Western Athletics."

Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine said Leatherneck Athletics will be losing a valuable member of the administrative staff. According to Dr. Van Alstine, with the University Capital Campaign looming in the near future the search for Roche's replacement will begin immediately.

"During his long tenure at Western, Dwaine has been involved in many progressive and positive changes within the Athletics Department. In many ways, Dwaine is the face of our department as he is very well respected internally and externally. He is the ultimate ambassador for what we value in the name of Leatherneck sports," stated Van Alstine. "One would be hard pressed to find a more loyal and dedicated supporter of the Leathernecks... and I expect he will continue that interest and support. We wish him all the best in his retirement."

A long-time resident of Macomb, Roche began his career at Western Illinois as the Assistant Director of Athletics Development in 1986 after a 16-year career in banking and insurance. Prior to his tenure at Western, he served as Vice President and Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Citizens National Bank, and assisted with fund-raising as a volunteer with the Leatherneck Club for 15 years. He served as President of the organization's Advisory Board on two different occasions.

A native of Raritan, Illinois, Roche graduated from Western Illinois University, served in the U.S. Army and performed a tour of duty in the Republic of South Vietnam. Roche and his wife, Jo, are the parents of three children: Daria, Darek (deceased) and Jenny, and three grandchildren.