S. T. ROACH CLASSIC
Sanford T. Roach has made major contributions to society in the areas of education, athletics, and public service. He began his career in education as a teacher and coach at the Kentucky House of Reform, later known as Kentucky Village. After later teaching at his alma mater, Bate High School in Danville, he became a teacher and assistant basketball coach at the original Dunbar High School in Lexington where he taught science, and coached basketball for 24 years. He later served as assistant principal and principal at the Lexington Junior High School.
The salutatorian of his high school class, he received his bachelor’s degree from Kentucky State College and a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky (UK), where he was one of the earliest African American students to attend this institution.
Mr. Roach is well known in the state for his coaching abilities. At Dunbar he amassed a record of 512 wins to 142 losses for a lifetime coaching record of 610 wins and 166 losses. His success as a coach contributed to his being appointed in 1974 by President Otis Singletary to the UK Athletic Association Board of Directors, the first African American to hold this position.
Mr. Roach is also a leader in the community and in his church. A long-time member of the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, he is a church steward, former trustee, class leader, and choir member. The Lexington Human Rights Commission, Lexington Transit Board, Lexington Kiwanis Club, Kentucky State University Alumni Association, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, are just a few of the many social, civic, and community service programs with which he has been involved.
His work with children has benefited many young people in the community. He has served on the board of the Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. His commitment to inspiring young people through sports has been evident as he directed basketball and cheerleading clinics, spending many hours with children from low-income backgrounds. He has been an inspiration to Lexington’s youth.
Mr. Roach’s list of honors and awards is a long one. He has been awarded an honorary degree from Kentucky State University, inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Dawahare’s Hall of Fame, and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, to list a few. The new Paul Laurence Dunbar High School gymnasium has been dedicated the S. T. Roach Sports Center, where the S. T. Roach Basketball Classic occurs annually.
For his distinguished record of service to the community, to athletics, and to the University of Kentucky, Sanford T. Roach was a recipient of the 2002 Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
This award is given to the top student athlete participating in the Classic. Each team nominates a participant that is an active participant in other school activities, his church, and/or his community as well as being a contributing member of his team. Coach S.T. Roach personally presents the award between games.
1992 Eric Osborne Conner High School
2007 S.T. Roach Sportsmanship Award Winner Scott Bauman
Scott
