HAL LORING ROACH SR. ’61, the first director of TCU’s Frog Club, charted many victories as he navigated the changing times of student athletics, especially college football. He took a fan base hampered by struggling seasons on the field and built it into a loyal following, win or lose. 

Soon after becoming chief fundraiser for TCU sports and scholarships in 1992, he dealt not only with the Horned Frogs’ football results but also with angry fans when athletic departments began linking donations to season seat locations. 

He would urge callers to think first about the young athletes, not the play calls. Sometimes, offering a free drink ticket or cheeseburger lightened the mood. 

“For him to do what he did, for as long as he did, speaks volumes, because for a long time he was selling when there was nothing to sell,” said John Denton ’85, retired associate athletics director. “It didn’t matter how big or ‘small’ you were, Hal knew your name, from major donor to the benchwarmer. 

“TCU fans should say a prayer of thanks for Hal Roach and the job he did for TCU. It wasn’t easy.” 

Roach died Oct. 17. He was 86. 

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Roach ’81; son Hal Roach Jr. ’87 and his wife, Marjana Roach ’88 (MS ’90); and brother, C.D. Roach ’72.