#National Volunteer Week: Roger Slomke’s 30 Year Legacy as Mentor and Coach

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – National Volunteer Week 2025

“There is a great deal of satisfaction watching kids commit to something and you get to not only see but also participate in their progress.”

By David Grossman

Coaching, especially as it pertains to counselling and advising young athletes, is also about a commitment to try make things better.

There’s leadership and learning that includes a great deal of passion and a culture of discipline and dedication.

Roger Slomke knows what coaches did for him.

It happened many years ago, while growing up in Thunder Bay, and he’s now continuing that special gift of enlightening others.

When talking about coaching and giving back, Slomke also vividly recalls his introduction to what it was like to take on a new responsibility – coaching. He was 19 years old and helping others achieve specific personal goals – with him leading the way with guidance, advice, and support.

There was no teasing a promise of something unobtainable, but there was a sincere and dedicated emergence of an affection to motivate young people. He had the intensity to help them strive for what could be achievable.

“I enjoyed it – and I knew there was something special about being there for others,” he said. “I had learned from coaches and there was this opportunity for me to be there and do it for others.”

As a teenager, Slomke was a multi-sport athlete at St. Patrick High School in the city located next to the world’s largest fresh-water lake. Yes, that’s Lake Superior in northwestern Ontario. It’s a city that is also known to many as Sleeping Giant. Those fascinated with geography and history would be interested in a nearby natural rock peninsula in the shape of a giant sleeping person. Hence, the name.

As for Slomke, he’s been active, focused and faithful.

A humble and modest person, talk to Slomke and what is quite evident is that he is one who does not boast about his accomplishments as a coach nor awards and possessions. He’s quiet, unassuming, and downplays his own abilities. His boastfulness comes in talking about the people he coaches.

For him, victories, and personal best times, as a runner, triggered feelings of well-being and happiness. Yes, there were personal awards, like high school Junior athlete of the year and runner-up for the Senior title, but the bigger triumphs would shine throughout a 30-year period as a coach.

“I had great coaches, I remember what they did for me and that became firmly engrained in me,” he said. “It became a life-long passion – and I have appreciated every minute of it. There is a great deal of satisfaction watching kids commit to something and you get to not only see but also participate in their progress.”

For Slomke, his initiation to coaching started in his last year of high school. His forte was in track and field. When he graduated, he chose not to leave town. Slomke had thought about post-secondary studies and a career as a chiropodist or strength and conditioning coach. His choice stayed in the field of health and well-being and earned an honors degree in kinesiology from Lakehead University.

What followed were more studies and his decision to become a teacher. In 2004, some déjà vu. Slomke returned to his high school alma mater, but this time as an educator working his way to becoming athletic director.

His motto might very well be the aphorism of the school – Fide Et Labore Valebo. Translation from Latin, it means “Through Faith and Hard Work I shall succeed”.

And that he has done quite well.

In addition to head coach duties in track, with five consecutive Northwestern Ontario school titles early in his teaching career, Slomke also coached and spearheaded the launch of girls’ high school hockey in the city in 2020. Somehow, he’s found time to include coaching a community minor hockey single-A under-18 team.

For six years, he was the go-to guy as sprints coach at Lakehead. On the topic of high school  badminton, Slomke coached St. Pat’s to six consecutive city championships.

He’s made a positive and lasting impact on the lives of so many. Some have labelled him to be a cornerstone for success at St. Patrick as well as minor hockey in Thunder Bay. Students, colleagues and parents, say his coaching style sets a high mark of excellence for confidence and enthusiasm.

“I’ve told some people, that I need to dial it back a bit and I’ve had discussions for a contingency plan,” added the 50-year-old Slomke, who is married and the father of two. “I don’t think I’ll ever quit coaching. I enjoy the experience of being a coach too much, whether it’s winning or not.  I just hope everyone has enjoyed whatever I have done to help them improve.”

Every step of the way, Slomke has committed to inspiring, innovating, and sharing his sports knowledge. With National Volunteer Week set for April 27 to May 3, the Coaches Association of Ontario is extending high praise and adulation to thousands of volunteers, like Slomke, for their major contribution.

In 2024, Slomke was one of 15 people honored in a special ceremony as recipients of Ontario’s highest coaching and prestigious awards.  The Coaches Association of Ontario and Hydro One recognized achievements with a financial prize reimbursement to be used on purchases they make for their team, club or organization, and from local Ontario and Canadian businesses.

“Kids have so many programs and challenges these days – it’s a battle at times,” said Slomke. “It can be tough getting a commitment from kids involved in multi-sports. We just do the best we can.

“I care a lot about kids and I’m at my best with one-on-one coaching. Progress is measured by finding individual successes. It’s a great feeling when these youngsters come back and tell me how much they appreciated what I did for them.”

Always stressing enjoyment and learning something new each day, Slomke says he sees the role of a coach to be one who guides and leads athletes to where they want to end up.

“You see the results of the work you put in as a coach,” said Slomke, who is also the recipient of the Pete Beach award for his contribution to coaching at St. Pat’s. “I can’t be the external motivator. Kids need the internal drive. I see myself as a fair guy, not an authoritarian.”

Coaching has also had its moments outside of the gym, rink or playing field.

For Slomke, although he’s not one to talk about it, his efforts have taken on the role of helping individuals address personal, and sometimes troubling, challenges in their daily lives.  On several occasions, he’s sat down with young people in conflict, discussed their issues and convinced them to participate in sport.

“You see occasions and just have to help,” said Slomke. “I’ve had conversations, given speeches to kids who had been expelled from high school and others experiencing issues with drugs. I’ve told them to get assistance as they have one chance to get it right – and they took my advice. Today, they are success stories.”

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

“I don’t think I’ll ever quit coaching. I enjoy the experience of being a coach too much, whether it’s winning or not.”