Memorial service for Paul Roach to be held Thursday

Oct. 11—A memorial service for former University of Wyoming football coach and athletics director Paul Roach will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Newman Center.

A reception in the Wildcatter Stadium Club and Suites at UW's War Memorial Stadium will follow the memorial service. The family has asked that any memorial gifts be made to the Cowboy Joe Club at https://www.cowboyjoeclub.com or by contacting the Cowboy Joe Club at 307-766-6242.

Roach passed away Sept. 3 in Pullman, Washington, at the age of 95. Roach was the only person in UW history to serve as athletics director and head football coach simultaneously. He served as the school's AD from 1986-96, and was head football coach from 1987-90.

Roach soon became one of the biggest stories in college football, directing the Cowboys to a 21-5 record in his first two seasons, winning back-to-back Western Athletic Conference championships from 1997-98 and earning two Holiday Bowl appearances.

"Coach Roach was so much more than a damn good coach," current UW athletics director Tom Burman said. "He was caring, smart, disciplined, funny, but most of all, a great communicator. He knew when and how to say things, a skill few have, and he did it without an ego.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marge and his entire family. Wyoming will be forever grateful to him. We will all miss coach Roach!"

As athletics director, Roach guided UW's athletic programs through tremendous success. His vision led to construction of the Rochelle Athletics Center, and in 1993, he established the UW athletics hall of fame, to which he was later inducted in the Class of 1999.

As head football coach, he took over a program that was 27-32 in the five previous seasons. Roach's 1987 and 1988 teams were undefeated in league play both years.

He was named the league's coach of the year following each of those seasons. He was named the Kodak Region V coach of the year in 1987, and was a two-time finalist for national coach the year.

During his four-year tenure, Roach guided the Cowboys to a 35-15 record and three bowl-game appearances, adding a bid to the 1990 Copper Bowl in his final season as head coach. Upon retiring from his head coaching position after the 1990 season, he selected his former offensive coordinator, Joe Tiller, as his successor.

Roach retired from UW in 1996.