Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s new Athletic Director flew in from Pennsylvania and stood in front of a welcoming crowd of alumni, coaches and sponsors at a press conference last Wednesday. All the coaches were present and media outlets took pictures and videos of the AD.
Steve Roach shared his rapid-paced experience.
“It’s been nerve-wracking. I’ve been to Texas three times in the last week and it’s been a whirlwind of a process,” Roach said.
The coaches and President Steven Tallant were excited to welcome him to the podium for his speech. Tallant said his experience is precisely relevant and fitting for the duties of being an AD at TAMUK.
“He’s done an incredibly good job there. That university mirrors who we are. They have [a similar] size. They have 400 athletes and 40 staff members,” Tallant said of Roach’s most recent position at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
At the conference, Roach shared his take on the community and position. “The people of South Texas are just different. My email has just been [filled] with people welcoming me, asking what can we do to help?” Roach said.
A question might arise about his transferring so quickly, but he said the opportunity at TAMUK just presented itself and it was one he couldn’t turn down. “I wasn’t actively looking, but the opportunity presented itself. I wouldn’t have left IUP for what I’d consider a rebuild. That’s why this is exciting to me because this isn’t a rebuild,” Roach said.
The coaches had an opportunity to meet Roach and they shared the ins and outs of the program. “I had a good session with the coaches and what I appreciated about that process is that I got all the good, but I also heard all the challenges,” Roach said.
When Roach arrives Oct. 1, he will go into his duties immediately as Javelina basketball picks up and volleyball, football and cross country are underway.