$1 = 1 Vote
Vote for Rachel J. Roche to be the 2025 Redlands Symphony Dancing with the Stars Champion!
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Born and raised in the Midwest, Rachel Johnson Roche originally moved to Redlands as a 13-year-old, eighth grader at Cope Junior [Middle] High School. Arriving from her beloved home in Fort Collins, Colorado, the teenager was determined to leave "boring" Redlands as soon as was feasible. She eventually transferred to William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, to spread her wings while completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She later moved to Reno, Nevada, to be closer to her dad and stepmom.
But absence truly does make the heart grow fonder, as her five-year hiatus to Virginia and Nevada changed her perspective on what life in Redlands could be. Being part of this community has been a significant source of joy!
With her mom's support, Rachel moved back and soon began her 26-year career at the University of Redlands, taking on various roles within Bulldog Athletics, including assistant volleyball coach, athletic facilities and event manager, and sports information director. Currently, she serves as the associate director of athletics by providing leadership for special events and oversight of team schedules, student-athlete education and well-being, postseason host bids, and tournament logistics. In 2022, she took on the responsibility of compliance and eligibility coordinator. Since 2007, she has served as the Senior Woman Administrator for Bulldog Athletics. In addition, the University of Redlands gave Rachel the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Educational Administration in 2002.
One of her first milestones at the University was meeting her husband Geoff, who was the director of tennis at the time. After playing golf and tennis together, the two quietly dated for four years before getting married in 2003 at a beautiful ceremony in Dana Point. They now have an amazing 16-year-old daughter.
Now fully invested in the community of Redlands, Rachel gives her time and talent to the boards of the Citrograph Foundation and Montessori in Redlands. She previously served on the Town & Gown board for several years.
When not in Redlands, she and the family love to travel, prioritizing major sporting events abroad. In 2019, the trio attended the French Open at Roland Garros and cheered on the U.S. Women's National Team in the World Cup in Reims, France. In 2023, they ventured to the All-England Club for Wimbledon before exploring Ireland and Scotland. Rachel also traveled to Brisbane, Australia, to coach an all-star volleyball team in 2001. More locally, the Roche family frequently spends time in Lake Tahoe and San Diego.
Despite her arthritis and joint challenges, Rachel loves to play tennis, pickleball, and golf, and hopes to someday play them more often than life currently allows. For now, she enjoys coaching the girls' volleyball team at Grove High School and cheering on her daughter in all of her endeavors.
