BABSON PARK, Mass.— Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement Mike Lynch announced the appointment of Tori Roche '20 as the new head softball coach at Babson College on Friday morning. 

Roche, who is just the fourth coach in program history and first female to lead the Beavers, replaces Dave Canan who wrapped up his 25-year career with 605 career wins back in May.  

"We're excited to welcome Tori back to Babson as our head softball coach," said Lynch. "Her love for Babson, special ability to connect with players, energy and passion for coaching and teaching, and championship-level success make her a great fit to lead the program. As a former player, she has a unique perspective of Babson that will contribute to the success of our current student-athletes.  

A two-time captain for the Beavers, Roche returns to Babson after starting 101 of 111 career games at catcher from 2017-20. She batted .285 with 19 doubles, five home runs, 31 RBI and 46 runs scored and recorded career highs in hits (32), runs scored (23), doubles (10) and RBI (15) and total bases (45) in 2019. 

Behind the plate, Roche concluded her career with a .992 fielding percentage and made just five errors in 608 total chances during her four-year career. She also helped the Babson pitching staff finish 47th in Division III with a 2.40 earned run average in 2018. 

Along with her individual success, Roche helped the Beavers advance to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals for the first time in school history after capturing the program's first New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championship in over a decade as a first-year in 2017. The Green and White also reached the conference championship game in 2019. 

"I am honored to be selected to lead the Babson softball program as the new head coach," commented Roche. "Babson softball has been a well-respected program under Dave's leadership for decades and I look forward to developing, motivating and leading this highly talented group of student-athletes back to the top of the NEWMAC and on the national level. Babson College, Babson Athletics and the softball program mean more to me than I can put into words. The opportunity to come home and empower this group of student-athletes is a dream come true. I would like to thank Mike Lynch, Jake Munick and the entire hiring committee for believing in my vision and entrusting me with this opportunity.

"I would also like to thank some of my mentors in the coaching world including Dave Canan, Julie Ryan, Sally Starr, Tracey Paul, Drew Marrochello, Tina Mattera and John Morris who have helped me reach this point in my career. I would not be in this position without every single one of them."

After graduating in May of 2020 with concentrations in business administration and entrepreneurship, Roche joined the Boston University field hockey program as a volunteer assistant coach and helped them reach the 2020 Patriot League championship game. She moved to Tufts University as an assistant coach in 2021 and helped the Jumbos reach the NESCAC final and the second round of the NCAA Tournament before returning to Boston University as an assistant coach as the Terriers returned to the 2022.

One of the best two-sport athletes in department history, Roche also starred in field hockey where she served as captain in 2019 and is tied for fourth all-time with 56 goals and ranks fifth in program history with 127 points. A three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-New England and New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) honoree, she made three NCAA Tournament appearances, which includes helping the Beavers advance to the national semifinals for the first time in school history in 2016. 

Roche earned her graduate degree in applied human development with a concentration in athletics coaching from Boston University back in May. 

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What others are saying about Tori Roche: 

"Tori was an invaluable member of the Babson softball team. She was a two-year captain who embodies everything that Babson softball is all about. She will be a great role model for the athletes and keep the tradition of Babson softball alive."
-Dave Canan, Babson head softball coach from 2000-24

"It has been a true pleasure to watch Tori grow as a coach here at BU and we are thrilled for her to have this opportunity at her alma mater. Her enthusiasm, drive and passion for coaching have been evident since she joined our department and we look forward to following her success for many years to come."
-Drew Marrochello, Boston University Director of Athletics

"Babson is getting an outstanding coach and person in Tori Roche. Since graduating from Babson, Tori has established herself as a professional, positive, hard-working, competitive, and principled leader at Tufts and BU. Tori excels at relationship-building and culture-building, and she has a genuine passion for recruiting and developing student-athletes as people, students and athletes. I have no doubt Babson softball will thrive under Tori's leadership, and I am excited to watch the positive impact she will have on a team and university she cares so deeply about."
-John Morris, Tufts Director of Athletics

"I am thrilled for Tori to lead the Babson softball program. She brings an incredible skill set that will allow her to create a strong team culture where her student-athletes are thriving on and off the field. She leads by example with her work ethic and energy, so I am excited to see the next chapter of Babson softball."
-Julie Ryan, Babson head field hockey coach

"Tori is an outstanding hire for Babson softball. She is a coach who truly cares for her athletes and will be a tireless worker to give them an outstanding and successful experience. I am very happy for Tori to have this opportunity and am grateful for the impact she has had on the Boston University field hockey program for the past three years."
-Sally Starr, Boston University head field hockey coach