Mike Laroche graduated from Berlin High School in 2001, where he excelled as an athlete in football, wrestling and track. In football, he was a three-year varsity athlete, receiving numerous awards including the Redcoat Award in the 1999-2000 season, the Offensive Award in 2000-01, named to the NWC All-Academic Team in 2000-01 and was an All-Nutmeg League and All-Herald Team selection in 2000-01. Laroche was a captain of the team in 2000-01.

In wrestling, he was a varsity team member all four years. Laroche was a four-time NWC champion, selected to the NWC All-Academic Team and was an Academic All-State selection in 2001. In 1998, he was sixth in the Class M, followed by third-place finishes in both 1999 and 2000. He won the Connecticut State Open championship in 2000 and placed second in the 2001 Class L state championship and fourth in the State Open. Laroche finished his wrestling career with a record of 131-40.

In track, Laroche was a varsity team member for three years. He was an All-NWC selection in both 2000 and 2001 and an All-Academic Team selection in 2001. He set the school record in the 100M dash at 11.1 seconds, which had been held by Hall of Fame member Dan Blanchette since 1968.

Laroche went on to become an outstanding football player at Western New England University where he was a three-time offensive MVP, twice named the Male Athlete of the Year, was the 2004 All-New England Football Conference First Team running back and a 2004 Boston Globe Helmet Award recipient. He set numerous school records, including most rushing attempts in a game with 52, most rushing touchdowns in a game with four, most points in a game – twice – with 24 and longest rushing touchdown at 92 yards. He left there as the school’s fourth all-time leading rusher, sixth in all-time scoring and second in all-time carries. In his final collegiate game, Laroche had 52 carries for 250 yards and four touchdowns, was the NEFC Offensive Player of the Week, the ECAC Division III New England Player of the Week and a D-III football.com National Team of the Week selection.

Laroche is employed by Travelers Insurance, where he is a manager/financial specialist in Finance Operations.