Playing with Pride

Thomas Roche, nicknamed “Tommy,” arrived at Algonquin’s basketball tryouts last fall with the aim of exploring his high school dream. His enthusiasm for the game was evident in every expression on his face, every word, and movement. It’s as if basketball offered Tommy the opportunity to transform the painful experiences in his life into advantages and blessings.  

Diagnosed with autism at four years old, Roche considers himself normal - yet, still recognizes that each day presents its own unique set of challenges. 

“I have to work harder than most people to get what I want,” said Roche, who added, “especially being a high school kid, I’ve got to pay more attention in just about everything that I do.”

At 5-foot-6, Roche was cut from the Algonquin varsity team. However, head coach Chris Foy appointed him as team manager. While he ached to put on a Tomahawks uniform, Roche remained positive and was even encouraging to have around at practice. 

“Managers don’t get water, they don’t get towels, they practice with us,” Foy said. “I said to Tommy, 'If you work hard enough we’ll give you a uniform and maybe, you’ll get in a game.'” 

At times, Roche seemed to be satisfied with his role as manager; other times he showed signs of edginess, barely sitting in his chair. “You have to understand the way he is, he absolutely has no filter every day,” Foy said.   

In Algonquin’s first game of the season against the Marlborough Panthers, Roche mustered up the courage to stand up to his coach. “He comes right up to my face and goes, where is my uniform?” Foy remembers. 

“From there, it didn’t take him long to start working his way to a uniform. It got to the point where we had a couple of scrimmages and he just kept being persistent about it. I eventually turned to our assistant coach, Brian Doherty, and told him to get Tommy a uniform.”    

As Roche proved he was ready to embrace his new teammates, he would also have to earn himself a spot in the Tomahawks’ rotation. The day arrived on Jan. 7 when the Algonquin Tomahawks took on the Leominster Blue Devils. The game led to a feeding frenzy for Leominster as Algonquin lacked consistent production down the stretch. 

So with 1:30 remaining in the game, and the Tomahawks down by 20, coach Foy pointed at Roche for his last substitution of the game. Scrambling for position on the court, Roche’s teammate gave him the ball at the top of the key.

What happened next left Algonquin captivated. 

“I couldn’t believe it,” Thomas said. “The crowd just went ballistic and I kept playing my game.”

“When he hit that shot, I looked around the entire gym and they were going nuts,” Foy said. “It just really summed up that moment where there was no doubt in Roche’s mind that he belonged on this team.”

More than ever, Roche felt included amongst his teammates and to celebrate, he invited the team over for a pasta party. “It was clear that Tommy was the mayor that day,” Foy said. “His whole personality came out and just by the way he interacted with the rest of the team, I was really touched.” 

Roche’s story draws similar comparisons to Jason McElwain, who in 2006, started off as team manager at Greece Athena High School located near Rochester, NY.  At 5-foot-6, McElwain became a source of inspiration and hope to the autism community when he hit six 3-pointers in one game.

Foy noted that it’s moments like these where success is not measured by wins and losses, but instead allows kids to be put into positions where they can grow.

“We can get caught up worrying about the wins and losses, but from the connection I’ve had with the players over the last four years I hope I leave an impression that can help them understand their surroundings and appreciate what they have,” Foy said. 

Thomas openly talked about the opportunity of meeting McElwain some day. But for right now, he has a loftier goal in mind. 

“I’m trying to get to the NBA,” Roche said. And when asked what team he would like to play for - “whoever drafts me,” he replied. 

In the weeks that followed, Roche became a popular figure in the locker room and just about everywhere else in between, too. “Just from that shot, I got popular,” Thomas said with a burst of excitement. “Pretty much everyone knows my name now.” 

Indeed it was those five minutes of fame where Roche became something bigger than himself. No longer would he have to sit on the bench. No longer would he have to hand out towels. But better yet, no longer would he have to dream. This time, Tommy’s pride to win and fight his battle against autism is what truly defined him.

“Tommy never lets the people forget it,” Foy said smiling. “Nor, should he.”