Shown in photo, Superintendent Neil Lederer, right, welcomes Richard Roche, left, to the Lindenhurst School District as its new athletic director. For the 2006-07 school year, student athletes and coaches throughout the Lindenhurst School District will notice a change from previous years. For the first time, the district has appointed an athletic director solely responsible for the development and support of the athletic program. Taking the reins and leading the athletic department for the upcoming school year will be Richard Roche, a new face to the district, but one that brings many years of experience as a coach and athletic director.

Roche, a native of Long Island, comes to Lindenhurst after most recently serving as the head basketball coach and assistant athletic director of Hobart College in Geneva, New York, an NCAA Division III school. During his time at Hobart, Roche was second on the all-time wins list in Hobart basketball history and received numerous "Coach of the Year" awards.

Prior to his tenure at Hobart, Roche served as a social studies teacher at St. Anthony's High School in Huntington, New York, where he served as the varsity basketball coach and assistant varsity baseball coach. Roche also served as an assistant basketball coach at Villanova University, where he coached future NBA stars Kerry Kittles and Alvin Williams.

In looking forward to his new position as athletic director within the Lindenhurst School District, Roche said he has several goals.

"The real key is having been a coach for 19 years," he said. "I think this will help in building relationships with the coaches because I've been in their shoes.The experience of players on all teams is important; the student athletes should walk away from their teams having a great experience."

He added that he's seen the commitment from the coaches and the Lindenhurst community, which makes him anxious to begin his new job. "Right now, I'd like to find out what has worked well in the past and what needs to be changed. I basically want all athletic teams in all programs to be as competitive as possible." Roche holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from Hobart College and a Master's of Education from Villanova University.