Roger Adolph facts for kids

Roger Adolph, born in 1942, is a respected elder and former leader of the Xaxli'p First Nation (also known as the Fountain Band) in British Columbia. He is also a former professional boxer. His parents, Lawrence and Maggie Adolph, were important elders from the Fountain area.

Roger Adolph's Boxing Journey

Roger Adolph first discovered boxing while attending the Williams Lake Residential School. He initially played basketball, but after a fight during a game, he was given a chance to join the boxing team instead.

Early Training and Success

In high school, Roger trained hard for three years. He then joined the boxing team at the Kamloops Residential School. There, a volunteer trainer named Jackie Cripps, who was a boxer from Vancouver, noticed his talent. Even though the team's coach didn't think Roger had much potential, Cripps saw something special in him. He watched Roger get better with his coaching and suggested he train with Bert Lowes at the South Hill Boxing Club in Vancouver. Wanting to prove his coach wrong, Roger moved to Vancouver to continue his boxing career.

Competing Across North America

While living in Vancouver, Roger kept boxing and improved his skills by fighting against boxers from both Canada and the United States. In 1961, he competed in the Seattle Golden Gloves, where he had a strong match against the U.S. champion at the time. He also took part in the Canadian Championships in Drayton Valley, Alberta. By 1963, he had joined the Prince George Boxing Club. That same year, he won the Canadian Bantamweight Championship in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. There, he met Elio Ius, who would later become his coach and friend.

Facing Challenges and Returning to the Ring

Roger qualified for the 1963 Pan-American Games in São Paulo, Brazil. However, just a week before he was supposed to leave, he found out he wouldn't be going. The Canadian Amateur Boxing Association gave reasons for their decision, but Roger later learned that unfair treatment against Native people had played a part.

Feeling angry and disappointed, he stopped boxing and went back to Fountain, his home reserve. But with encouragement from elder Sam Mitchell, his love for boxing eventually helped him overcome his anger. Six months later, he returned to Prince George. After winning the Golden Gloves in Tacoma in 1964, he started working with Elio Ius at the Northwest Eagles Club in Vancouver. In 1966, he won the Golden Gloves in Vancouver, Seattle, and Tacoma. He also competed at the U.S. Nationals in North Carolina.

The Canadian Amateur Boxing Association then offered him a spot on the Canadian Team for the upcoming Pan-American Games. They were worried Roger might box for the United States or become a professional. Instead, Roger signed a contract to become a professional boxer. He trained under Bobby Neil in London, England, and competed there for the next two and a half years. During his professional career, Roger Adolph competed in 10 fights and 45 rounds in the featherweight division.

Life After Boxing

In 1968, Roger Adolph retired from boxing and came back to Canada. In 1982, he was chosen as the Chief of the Xaxli'p First Nation (Fountain Band). He held this important leadership position for many years, until 2006.

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

In 2008, Roger Adolph and some friends started a group called the "Just Do It Sport Society." Their goal was to encourage young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to make healthy choices and develop leadership skills through sports. They noticed that fewer young people were participating in sports, and they wanted to change that.

Awards and Recognition

In 2012, Roger Adolph was honored for his achievements in boxing. He was inducted into the British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame, recognizing his impressive career and contributions to the sport.