Pam Roecker - Regis Dean of Athletics

In May of 2017, Pam Roecker was named the first Regis Dean of Athletics. As a 30-year veteran in the field of athletics, she brought with her a diverse background of athletic administration and coaching typical of many collegiate athletic directors.

But Dean Roecker is no typical athletic director. As an experienced television and radio broadcaster at the highest level of NCAA women’s basketball, she carries a unique skill set.

“Pam’s broadcasting career is an incredible benefit to Regis as she serves as a role model for our students while bringing additional exposure to our University,” said Kara Kolomitz, Regis Vice President of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Enrollment. “In addition, Pam’s experience in both broadcasting and coaching has bolstered our game management, marketing and administration philosophies as well as enhanced the Regis student-athlete experience. Her broadcasting career complements her role as our first Dean of Athletics and our vision for the future of Regis athletics.” 

Pam’s recent television and streaming broadcasts from the 2017-18 women’s basketball season have been Fordham vs UMass (Jan. 3) and Marquette vs. Providence (Jan. 10). She will also broadcast two games in late January as part of the Big East Digital Network.

Take us back to what got you into broadcasting and your early experience.

In 1999, after I had left Division I coaching and while I was the associate athletic director at Division I Wagner College, an ahead-of-the-curve sports information director named Bob Balut approached me about my interest in serving as the analyst for Wagner games he was going to broadcast via the internet. I remember thinking I couldn’t believe that anyone would watch a game on their computer. Regardless of how skeptical I was and not knowing the future of internet broadcasting, I started with Wagner women's basketball and immediately found my niche. Shortly after my stint at Wagner, the women’s basketball television analyst position for the Northeast Conference opened up. Wagner was a member of the conference so the transition would be a natural one. The NEC gave me a chance and sixteen years later I am still on the air with them as the lead analyst for women’s basketball. Broadcasting provided the perfect opportunity for me to stay involved with the game that had been a part of my life since middle school. This outlet allowed, and continues to allow me, to use the expertise I gained in 15 years of coaching while promoting the sport’s outstanding student-athletes, coaches and conferences.

How have you been able to take your broadcasting profession to the highest collegiate level?

I would argue that in this profession, which is the most competitive field I have been involved in, networking and exposure are the keys to advancing. Eventually, I was approached by the original Atlantic-10 Network and the Colonial Athletic Association. Staff members at both of these leagues were familiar with my work and added me to their talent rosters. This year, I was lucky that a top Big East administrator familiar with my career brought me on to their broadcast roster. I am thankful to all of the campus administrators, college coaches and conference professionals who have encouraged my efforts as I would not be in this position without their support.

Talk about your first television broadcasting experience and what about it made you want to continue.

The biggest challenge I faced when calling my first television game was having a producer in my ear on the headset. I was in the middle of expressing a thought when the producer chimed in the first time with direction. Not wanting to be rude, I stopped but he told me to keep talking. I quickly found completing a thought out loud while listening to someone speak is definitely an acquired skill! Fairly analyzing the game, the preparation, developing a rhythm with your broadcast partner, finding the story within the story and engaging the viewers are all critical to a successful broadcast. It presented a competitive opportunity similar to coaching as it feels like a victory of sorts to walk away feeling like you gave a solid effort. 

At one point did you ever consider making broadcasting a full-time profession?

I would have loved to have been discovered and given the opportunity to pursue broadcasting on a full time basis. At this point in my career, though, I am very satisfied with my status as a freelancer and believe it’s the perfect complement to my role as Dean of Athletics at Regis.

Your roots are in basketball. For you, how does this translate to success in athletics administration, specifically at the collegiate level?

I approach the Regis Dean of Athletics role very similarly to a head coaching position. Whether you are working with a staff or a team of student-athletes, it is about clearly communicating a vision for the program and providing support along the way. You want to challenge both groups to strive higher, but with athletic administration you’re taking it to another level by promoting an entire athletic program versus only one sport. Enthusiasm, passion and dedication are also imperative to success, traits that have been instrumental in my various roles as coach, administrator and broadcaster.

How has your broadcasting experience influenced your development as an athletics administrator?

My professional career has been greatly influenced by my broadcasting experience in two main ways – pubic speaking and networking/visibility. My confidence and comfort level as a public speaker, and my ability to deliver clear, concise, organized thoughts can absolutely be attributed to my broadcasting career. When you are on the air you can't have verbal ticks, ramble, or stray from your point so I appreciate how this has been a transferable skill. Secondly, the opportunity to meet the variety of professionals over the course of the 16 years has been amazing. It has given me the forum to expose these individuals to Division III athletics as they learn more about my “day job”, and to build a network of contacts in professional organizations such as the WNBA, NCAA and Women's Leaders in College Sports along with vendors, officials, production companies, and Division I staff. These connections have been beneficial in too many ways to name them all but, without a doubt, my time on the air has opened these doors.

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