Wayne Rocheleau – Athlete

Wayne Rocheleau was a multi‑sport participant for more than three decades.  Born in 1941 in Smeaton, Rocheleau participated in softball, baseball, archery, golf, bowling and hockey in Prince Albert since the early 1960’s.

In 1962 he began a three‑decade softball career, playing in the Prince Albert Sportsman Softball League. His playing days were interrupted for a time while he coached his son Barkley in baseball. Five or six years later, he returned, with his son, to the Sportsman League. At that time, Rocheleau helped with the coaching and took a turn at being an umpire but eventually got back onto the playing field with a number of clubs, the last being from a club consisting of players 40 years old and over. That team had its share of success, including a silver medal at the Old Timers Division of the 1989 Canada Cup Tournament in Saskatoon and a gold medal at a tournament in Regina the same year.  Rocheleau also was a familiar sight at softball diamonds as a grounds keeper, score keeper or whatever was needed to ensure an event ‑ including National and Western Canadian Championships ‑ was successfully held. The same was true in the winter at hockey arenas where, after a couple of years coaching minor hockey, Rocheleau became a minor official. In more than 20 years as a minor official, he worked at junior hockey contests and many minor hockey tournaments.

Rocheleau was very active in archery as a competitor and an instructor. Joining the Prince Albert Archery Club in 1974, he took part in five National Championships over a 10‑year span, earning two medals in the team category while establishing a number of personal bests in individual competition. At the club level, he won a trophy for nine consecutive seasons for recording the most points. Many other awards were won for his archery accomplishments during those years, with a special accomplishment being an award from Molson Brewery for shooting two consecutive perfect scores. As well, Rocheleau taught archery in eight‑week sessions twice a year for students ranging from age six to 50.

Success in bowling and golf competition, whether at the tournament or league level, also was common for Rocheleau. However, the most common factor in his sporting career was the accolades of his peers. Almost every year end event he was active in saw Rocheleau receive “awards of thanks”.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.