Mike Rokicki - Mr. Greencastle

    The Mike Rokicki Community Versus Cancer Challenge grew from an idea of DePauw Head Coach Bill Fenlon as a way to honor a man who meant so much to Putnam County and DePauw University and to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Proceeds from this weekend’s tournament will be applied to the University and community’s Relay for Life efforts.

Tabbed by many as “Mr. Greencastle,” Mike gave so much of his time to Putnam County before he lost a battle with cancer in August 2003.

He began his career in the insurance business in 1967 with Western and Southern Life in Terre Haute. In 1976, Mike, his wife Phyllis and children Michael and Gretl moved to Greencastle where he opened his business as a State Farm Insurance agent.

An active community leader, Mike was a three-term (12-year) member and past president of the Greencastle City Council. He was a board member of the Putnam County Community Foundation, member and past president of the Putnam County United Way, member and past president of the Greencastle Rotary Club, member and past president of the Greencastle Lions Club and past member and president of the Greencastle Jaycees.

He was a board member of Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center, Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Merit Board.

Mike also was a member of the NAACP, Friends of the Library, Putnam County Youth Development Commission, Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, West Central Indiana Civil War Round Table and the Putnam County Mental Health Association.

Founder and member of the Friends of the Fire Department, Mike was an advisory board member for the Greencastle High School ICE Program, member and past president of the Wabash Valley Officials Association, member and past president of the West Central Indiana Life Underwriters Association and a committee member for the Indiana Professional Standards Board License Review Committee.

His community service was widely recognized as he earned the Putnam County Mental Health Association’s Person of the Year Award in 1992. In 2002, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash honor bestowed by the governor of Indiana and was named 2002 Citizen of the Year by the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce.

His philanthropic practices provided financial assistance to school corporations throughout Putnam County and numerous community organizations through their fundraisers.

A supporter of athletic activities for youth and adults throughout the city and county, he was an official for the Indiana High School Athletic Association for basketball, baseball, softball and football and donated much of his time officiating for social and youth sports and the Special Olympics.