It’s the end of an era. As so many have said, and it almost goes without saying, it’s hard to imagine that Roger is no longer here with us. He was the link to the past. He held the collective memory of 29 years at Towson. The college years are pivotal moments in people’s lives, and since we can’t live in alternate universes, we certainly hope we are guided in the right direction and make the right choices. From reading everyone’s posts, the theme is simple. Roger gave people a chance and guided those who needed it the most. He gave so many athletes opportunities they would not have had somewhere else; it’s hard to imagine how many people’s lives would be different had Roger not given them that opportunity. Â
There’s been quite an outpouring of heartfelt memories, condolences, and attempts to grasp and express what he meant to so many. His legacy will be that of a mentor and a shepherd. He had a knack for knowing who needed a push or some guidance. As he did not have his own children, you all were his children. He was the cool dad, but he laid down the law in his own way. Roger was dependable and reliable, never missing a day a practice or meet. He was regularly given the short end of the stick, but he never said a word about it.
They say long trips are the best way to get to know people, and over the course of a track career, there are many, many long trips. The early mornings, long days, and late nights somehow create that closeness and fondness that has only seemed to grow stronger the past few days. Thinking of Roger, you can hear his voice, you can see him on his bike, you can see his gestures, you can remember the Monday meetings, and you can hear his laugh. All of a sudden 15 years ago feels like last week.
As noted, Roger gave opportunities to people that they may not have somewhere else. When you add up those numbers over 29 years, that is a lot of people. While it’s hard to process Roger’s passing since everything happened so fast, if that opportunity that you received meant so much to yourself or a friend or a teammate, this is where you carry the torch. It is now your turn to give those opportunities to people to see them flourish. Roger was the guide for many, many years, but now, we take our own little flame and guide those who need it most.Â
Most people have probably seen these by now, but in their own words…
Laura Schallenhammer-“There are certain people in your life that just leave a lasting impression on you, a mark on your soul. Roger was that and more. He wasn’t just my track coach he was a great friend. Someone I got the travel to the country with coast to coast. He was someone that was there to celebrate my victories but also held my hand during my losses. He indulged my superstitions so much that he would even carry a lucky screw and the exact amount of change for me to every single meet. ( i still have our last one) He heard all my stories, gave me a job, helped me in so many ways but mostly by just believing in me. He believed in me more than I ever believed in myself. I was honored to be his first CAA champ that i gave him my medal. Its where it belonged. He was a fellow high jumper so we automatically connected. I tried to pay homage to him my senior year by wearing high socks just like he used to when he jumped. I will continue to try and be better for you because I want to be remembered and loved by all like you Rog! I’m sorry I didn’t see you more after college I’m sorry you never met my babies because I promised you you would. But I truly believe you will be my babies guardian angel now watching over them from heaven just like you watched out for me. Your loss will leave a permanent mark on me. Rest in peace Rog!! I truly will always love, remember, and as you always said miss the shit out of you!
Jill Meshey Schmeer-Dearest coach, you took a leap of trust and agreed to make me one of your incoming recruits. you kindly told me the day before i was scheduled to take my SATs, for the second time, that i was unofficially officially accepted to towson. you knew what you were getting…a small-town, scrawny, white girl with a need for speed; and you knew better than to ever enter me into the 800m run! freshman year you chose me to represent towson at the indoor ECACs championship as your running competitor because no one technically qualified. despite not qualifying, you chose me to run the 400m, an underclassman who never even ran indoor track. i knew from that moment, i had something to prove…because you believed in me. the rest is history…!
life isn’t fair sometimes and losing you is one of these cruel moments. i like to think that you know how appreciated and loved you are, and how much of an impact you had on your athletes. you are a true legend, coach! rest easy…i know jim has been up there waiting to get the duo back together. you’re going to have one hell of a team, again! 
Drew Neidhammer-Today I lost a coach & friend that changed the course of my life. He stuck his neck out and got me into Towson State on academic probation and a track walk-on. 4 yrs later he made me captain & a student asst coach. He is the reason I coach track today.
I never told this story to anyone but tonight I will. We had a troubling incident the morning of my last meet, Sr year. The team was sitting on the bus, Rog came in, grabbed me by the neck and pulled me out into the middle of an open field and pushed me to the ground. Then, he knelt next to me and said, “PRAY FOR ME RIGHT NOW…because I am so mad, I don’t know what to do and I am about to kill somebody!†I prayed over him that morning and asked for two things. Wisdom and Peace. Today, 30 years later, I miss my Coach and I shortened the prayer to just… “Peaceâ€. Love you Rog. Thank you Liz for all of the nights and weekends you let us run around in circles while Rog looked after us.
Mitch Feldman–Throughout ones life you are extremely fortunate if you encounter just a handful of people who are willing to take a big chance on you. Roger Erricker was exactly that for me, he welcomed me onto the Towson XC and Track teams with open arms despite marginal HS race results at best. Roger treated each and everyone one of his athletes like family, no one can question how much he truly cared about the members of our team.
It’s very sad to hear of his passing. It seemed like he was recently excited about returning to his roots of coaching high school athletes but I guess the universe had other plans. Although he will be greatly missed, the relationships that he helped to create and foster over the years will live on. Many of us have made great life long friendships as a result of his Towson XC/Track Teams. Thanks for everything Roger!!
Leslie Moore-Today the world lost an incredible man. A lot of college athletes will tell you how close they get to their coach. After all, you see them 6 days a week. At first, I thought I had a unique story. I asked to meet Rog on a tour of Towson. After sitting down and chatting with him, I received an email shortly after welcoming me to Towson and the team. Rog took a chance on me. I wasn’t the highest performing athlete on my high school team. Or even during college. But Rog saw something in me and believed in me and by my senior year I was co-captain and on a partial scholarship. The time and attention Rog invested in me meant more than he will ever know and I am a better person for having known him. The funny thing is, our Towson track alum page is full of stories just like mine. Rog invested in so many student athletes and, if you can’t tell by the smile on his face in this pic, he loved it. Maybe as much as we loved him
Liya Kasimova–This is so hard for me…I have so much to say, but don’t have the words. My time that was spent with you was so monumental in my life. You were a second dad when I needed it most. You were always there for me with your track wisdom and overall life guidance. All I can really say is thank you. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you most and thank you for taking a chance on me. You guided me through the best years of my life and I achieved my greatest goals because of you, Rog. Thank you 
Jason Miller-Coach, thank you for being you. You allowed / aka got me into Towson even with my 9__ __ SAT score. Even though I wasn’t a star you took a chance on me. You gave me a chance to become a better runner, person and allowed me to meet the best of friends. All of this was made possible because of you. I’m proud to say I was a Towson runner and that I ran for Coach Roger. Forever grateful for our friendship and the times we shared. Thank you.
. NCAA athletes often say that their college coach becomes a parent figure in their lives. Roger Erricker was no exception. He was there to push you to your best, celebrate your wins, and embrace you while overcoming challenges. I’m so thankful he recruited me. Some of the best years of my life were at Towson because of him and the team. Thank you for positively impacting me and so many others, Roger. I’ll miss you. Amazing Coach, Teacher, Mentor, Friend, and Father Figure. Know that you have touched the lives of so many student-athletes. Until we meet again… I’m gonna miss you 
Picture Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/chasingthestandard/posts/385638813232043
YouTube Videos (link to list of interviews where Rog is interviewed by TU Athletics
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=roger+erricker+
Interview with Rog from 2011 (please please please mute when the “interviewer” is talking)
A reception/visitation will be held Friday, Sept 24th @ noon till 2:00 and a service to follow at Fallston United Methodist Church in Fallston, MD.