Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1991
Mike LaRoche was an outstanding basketball player, playing both forward and guard positions at Cal Poly.
Mike was a three-time All-California Collegiate Athletic Association player known for his great shooting and scoring ability. Mike finished sixth in scoring in 1965-66, first in 1966-67, and second in 1967-68 in the very tough CCAA. He was named to the All-West Coast team in 1966-67 and 1967-68.
Mike's Cal Poly career included the following school records at the time: Highest point average in one season - 23.9 PPG (1966-67 season); 1,500 points scored in three-year career (70 games); 21.4 points scoring average in three-year career; 571 field goals made (career); 358 free throws made (three-year career).
LaRoche twice attempted 30 field goals in a game, which remains as the school record.
After his playing days at Cal Poly, Mike signed a professional basketball contract and played briefly with the Los Angeles Stars of the American Basketball Association. After returning to Cal Poly to finish his studies, Mike graduated in 1969 with a degree in business administration. He attended the McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific from 1969 to 1975, where he received his law degree.
Mike had a successful law practice in Sacramento and continued to play basketball in Master's tournaments until his death in July 2020 at his home in Granite Bay, Calif., at the age of 74. Laroche won two national championships in Masters tournaments and is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lynn, and two children.
