One of the premier soccer coaches in Louisiana, former professional soccer player, and a three-time NAIA All-American, Colin Rocke, will be honored by his alma mater on Saturday, October 11. The Trinidad native will receive West Virginia Wesleyan’s Young Alumni Service Award at the College’s annual Homecoming Banquet.
He was named “High School Coach of the Year” in 2000 by the Louisiana High School Coaching Association and has been selected as the “Times Picayune” High School Coach of the Year eight times.
Rocke was easily one of the most gifted players to ever step foot on a soccer field at Wesleyan. He was a starting mid-fielder on the 1989 and 1990 national championship teams and the 1992 national semifinal squad. In addition to receiving the All-American awards, he was a four-time selection to the All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team.
The Young Alumni Award Winner is also the owner of Riverside Indoor Soccer Complex, a 33,000 square-foot complex located in a renovated warehouse that boasts three soccer fields. Nearly 6,000 kids play soccer throughout the year in the complex.
Rocke’s active association with Louisiana soccer has resulted in several students joining Wesleyan’s programs. Three starters on the College’s undefeated and nationally ranked women’s team are Louisiana natives, while the men’s team includes five players who have participated in his soccer program.
Wesleyan’s Young Service Award recognizes graduates from 15 years or less who have rendered outstanding service to the College through the recruitment of students, assisting the College on special projects by serving as a consultant, arranging internships, representing the College at special events, working with alumni chapters, assisting Wesleyan in fund-raising, or in other significant ways.
“Colin Rocke has been a wonderful ambassador for Wesleyan,” said Kristi Wilkerson, director of alumni relations. “He helps our men’s and women’s soccer programs in so many ways and the students he has recruited are both outstanding students and athletes.”