Keith Roberts Jr. Named Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
Director of Athletics Matt Palm has announced that Keith Roberts Jr. has been named head coach of the Heidelberg University men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.
Roberts has been serving as the interim head coach of both programs since July following the resignation of Kevin Lucas, who left to take the head track and field coaching position at Salisbury University.
“I would like to thank the Heidelberg administration, faculty and staff for their support during the transition period with the cross country and track and field programs,” said Roberts. “Everyone at the university has made me feel comfortable and has believed in my coaching philosophies from the beginning.”
In just eight months overseeing the programs, Roberts guided the men’s cross country team to its sixth NCAA Championships, including its third straight, as well as a third-place finish at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships. He coached junior Devin Butcher to the individual title, marking just the fourth time, and first since 2002, that a ’Berg runner has won the event. After consistently ranking among the nation’s elite, Heidelberg finished the year standing 19th.
Nearing a close is the 2009 indoor track and field season; both the men’s and women’s teams have student-athletes who are national contenders. Thus far, two members of the women’s team have qualified for the NCAA Championships in two events, the 55-meter dash and the high jump, while five from the men’s team are qualified to represent the Berg in three events, the long jump, 55-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay. Heading into the final weeks, the men’s program is on the verge of breaking into the top 25 in the nation.
“Keith has raised the level of expectations of the programs in just a short period of time,” Palm said. “His dedication provides a great experience for all student-athletes. Under his leadership, we look for even more success from both the men’s and women’s team in the future.”
Roberts has worked to build a strong team atmosphere at the Berg since coming on board, and he looks to utilize that bond to build continued success. “Every student-athlete associated with the team is working hard in both the classroom and in the field of competition. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue coaching at Heidelberg and further develop all aspects of the program. A lot of improvements have been made this season and everyone is supportive of one another, which is a key to success,” he said.
A season ago, Roberts was an assistant coach at the Berg and worked primarily with the sprinters and hurdlers on both the men’s and women’s teams. Between the indoor and outdoor track, Roberts helped to bring home 12 individual Ohio Athletic Conference honors, as well as seven relay All-OAC accolades. Sprinter Judy Bataille won the indoor 55-meter National Championship and All-American honors, while the men’s indoor 4x400-meter relay team just missed All-American honors at the national championships.
Prior to arriving at Heidelberg, Roberts was head coach for the Logan County Elite Track Club in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He also was an assistant coach for Bellefontaine High School and the Summit Academy in Herman, Pa. in 2006. From 2005-2006, he assisted at the University of Pittsburgh.
Roberts is a native of Bellefontaine and graduated from Kent State University, where he was as member of the track and field team. He won the Mid-American Conference Championship in the indoor 60-meter hurdles, and currently holds the indoor 55-meter hurdles record. Roberts was named a Freshman Verizon All-American in the outdoor 110-meter hurdles. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in education at the Berg.