GREENVILLE
Thomas "Rock" Roggeman, an East Carolina assistant football coach, has non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and is undergoing treatment at the Jenkins Cancer Center, according a statement from Coach Skip Holtz yesterday.
"Similar to many who have to deal with cancer, the initial diagnosis was unexpected," Roggeman said. "However, I am fortunate that I am in the best of care and the doctors have recommended chemotherapy as a course of treatment at this time. My health, players and coaching responsibilities are my top priorities, so I would appreciate and respectfully request that the focus remain on the ECU football program and our preparations for the 2009 season."
The treatment, which is being conducted under the supervision of the ECU Hematology/Oncology team, consists of chemotherapy that is expected to continue into the fall.
Roggeman, 46, who joined Holtz' staff at East Carolina in December of 2004, is in his fifth season as a Pirates assistant coach and third as the coach of the defensive tackles. He has coached six All-Conference USA selections and two league all-freshman team choices.
After coaching the linebackers in 2005 and 2006, Roggeman moved to the interior of ECU's line and quickly developed Jay Ross and Linval Joseph into honor-winning players in 2007 and 2008. They started a combined 23 of 28 games last season.
Roggeman also coached at Alabama State, Alabama A&M, Louisville, Eastern Michigan, Nevada-Las Vegas and Murray State during a career that began in 1987. Roggeman, who played linebacker and nose guard at Notre Dame, got his first coaching position as a graduate assistant under Gerry Faust with the Fighting Irish in 1985.
"Needless to say, this news came as a shock to everyone, but I know Rock will fight this with the same vigor, intensity and attitude that he brings into the coaching profession," Holtz said. "Everyone associated with the Pirate program, along with the countless of others he has touched, has Rock in their thoughts and prayers. With that said, we would certainly like to ask that his privacy be respected during his fight through this difficult time."
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