Gary Roberts, a teacher and coach at Warren, is continuing to pursue greatness in the fairly new lacrosse problem. Having coached many teams for the Warriors, he is happy to be a part of another.
“I didn’t know anything about it, but I recruited Mr. Blythe and my son, who agreed to help, and the three of us started girls lacrosse,” Roberts said.
The program has had its ups and downs throughout the last decade, providing growing points for the coaches to work with players on. Roberts loves using this strategy in both coaching and teaching.
“It doesn't matter what I coach. I think coaching and teaching are kind of the same thing. I can't imagine teaching and not coaching or coaching and not teaching. What I like about coaching is I think you get a chance for kids to learn a little bit more about my personality and I learned more about theirs. There's just that journey through the season that the coach and the players have together, which I think is very cool,” Roberts said.
Players, students, even other coaches and staff look up to Roberts in so many things. He has earned a really positive reputation in the Warrior Nation.
“My favorite part about Mr. Roberts being a part of the Warrior Nation is how he can connect to kids. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the soccer field, or on the lacrosse field. He is magical in connecting with kids. His relationships with them and with his coworkers as well, he’s one of the best, most positive individuals I’ve ever met,” principal Rich Shepler said.
Everybody loves Mr. Roberts, and the school environment has grown on him for many decades.
“I love Warren Central. I've been in the Warren system now 44 years. I love teaching in Warren township. I love the kids that we have here. I think our staff is cool to be a part of. I've had a lot of these teachers here who were my students and to me, nothing is more rewarding than just walking in these halls,” Roberts said
For some students, nothing is more rewarding to them than getting to walk by Roberts every day.
“My favorite thing about Coach Roberts is his consideration for everyone and how kind he is to everyone he talks to. He always [makes] me feel like I can do something no matter how easy or hard,” sophomore Justice Galan said.