EVANSTON — For years, hockey was the sport of choice in Pat Rooney’s and Virginia Wabbe’s household. 

But when the local ice rink went away in the late 90s, the husband and wife decided to turn their attention elsewhere. 

Pat and Virginia’s sons, John Patrick Rooney, Cameron Rooney and Miles Rooney, had already been involved with the Red Devil Aquatic Team when rising temperatures led to the closure of the ice rink in Evanston. 

“That was the twist of fate that turned us to the pool,” Pat said. “OK, if there’s no more hockey, we might as well turn these guys into swimmers.”

John Patrick, Cameron and Miles were all four-time state qualifiers for the Evanston boys’ swimming and diving team. 

Pat and Virginia have never been much for spectating. As they watched their boys develop in the pool, both became certified swimming and diving officials and judges. 

Earlier in November, the pair was recognized by the Wyoming High School Activities Association at the girls’ state swimming and diving meet in Gillette for 20 years of service. 

“I like to see young people learn how to swim, and then being able to watch them over four or seven years, improve,” Virginia said. “It’s wonderful. It’s my favorite thing.”

“If you’re going to go as a parent and watch the meet, the best spot in the house is on the deck,” Pat added.

Pat and Virginia have been officiating Evanston home meets at the high-school and middle school levels for two decades, but more recently started doing home meets for Green River and Rock Springs on a regular basis. 

Both have also officiated at the college level. Pat and Virginia were asked to come to Green River’s facility two years ago when the men’s teams at Wyoming and Utah met for a dual meet. They also officiated a Wyoming men’s and women’s meet last year in Green River.

It’s been an interesting journey for Pat and Virginia, who didn’t grow up with a swimming background. 

Pat was on ice skates when he was three. He played high-school hockey in Minnesota and then at the college level at Rensselaer Polytech Institute in Troy, New York. After suffering a broken leg, Pat left the hockey team and finished his education at the University of Minnesota. 

Pat retired as an engineer in September, but continues to compete in an over-50 hockey league that plays in four tournaments throughout the year. He competes against other former college players and retired NHL players.

“The older-than-dirt league,” he said. 

Virginia has a slightly different story. 

“Back in the day, when I was in high school, girls weren’t allowed in sports,” she said. “You could be in P.E., but no sports until Title IX.”

Even in P.E. classes, Virginia remembers playing half-court basketball.

 “You couldn’t cross that line,” she said. “They figured girls didn’t have enough stamina or strength. I’ve kind of proven that wrong.”

In more than one way. 

Virginia received a teaching degree and coaching credential and was on a successful women’s rowing team at the University of Minnesota. 

She retired from the Evanston school district in 2013, but continues to substitute teach.

“I really like kids,” she said. 

Pat and Virginia made their way to Evanston in 1977. They started officiating sports such as Little League baseball, softball and volleyball through the Evanston recreational department as their children were growing up. 

As John Patrick, Cameron and Miles got older, they were introduced to the Red Devil Aquatic Team. The trio also played in Evanston’s youth hockey league. 

Pat and Virginia played in the adult league.

“I was the only girl playing,” Virginia said. “If I wanted to see my husband and three sons, I had to play hockey.”

Pat and Virginia were already friends with a few swim officials in the area when the ice rink in Evanston went away.

Pat, who also officiated soccer during the first 10 years Evanston High School had a program, remembers taking his first 100-question proctor test while becoming a certified swimming and diving official. 

“It’s actually pretty simple,” he said. “You take the test online; well, it’s online now. It used to be a 100-question proctor test. You have to get a 70 percent.”

Virginia has different thoughts. 

“He says it’s simple,” Virginia said. “It is not simple. The questions are hard and the rules change. It’s work.”

Because rules may change each year, and that is likely, swim officials must pass the test every year. 

“I’ve taken the test the last eight years without the book,” Pat said. 

While they have cut down on running in recent years, Pat and Virginia are both proud to say they have completed 10 marathons each, including the 100^th anniversary race of the Boston Marathon in 1996. 

Virginia got to No. 10 first.

“I had to wait for him to get his,” she said.