MAY 2013
She knows how to get you to play better,”
Female basketball idols, on the other hand,
very relatable because she’s played college
said Erica McKenzie, 21, of Sparks, Nevada,
were difficult to come by for Roberts, who
basketball at a high level, so she’s been through
who plays guard. “Off the court, she’s always
remembers looking up to Tara Vanderveer,
the same experiences I’m going through now.”
there for you if you need someone to talk to.
who led the Stanford Cardinal to two NCAA
“She’s also someone I can go to, because
With your family far away, it’s nice to know her
Women’s Division I Basketball Championships
I don’t physically have my parents here, since
office is always open to talk about life. It’s really
in 1990 and 1992.
they’re in Southern California,” she added.
great to have a relationship like that with your coach.”
“It’s neat to see the shift in 20 years, with all the women who are role models now,” said
“She’s been a huge mentor for me. I look up to her 100%.”
As Roberts becomes a mentor to these
Roberts, who helped her Pacific Tigers finish
Even though Kendall Kenyon’s parents live
young women, she recalls her own lifelong
third in the Big West in 2011-12, the highest
in town, she still sees Roberts as coach, mom
mentor.
BWC finish since 2004.
and sometimes sister.
“Gordy Presnell, he’s the head coach at Boise State University, and coached me at
Kendall Rodriguez, 21, of La Habra, Ca. says Coach Roberts is her first female coach.
“It’s great to have someone who doesn’t just care about you as a player, but who cares
Seattle Pacific University (her alma mater). I still
“I’ve been playing basketball since I was in
about you as a person as well,” said Kenyon,
talk to him about four to five times a week;
the fourth grade, so for the last 12 years, I’ve
19, center. “Coach Rob really cares for us. With
he’s a great support for me,” said Roberts. “I
only had male coaches until I came to Pacific.
my family being here in town, it’s like having
wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He knows
It’s a new experience for me having Coach Rob
another mom around, taking care of the team.
me like I know my players. If I hit a rough spot
as someone I could relate to off the court,”
But it’s also like having an older sister, because
or tough loss, we just check in.”
said Rodriguez, who plays forward. “She’s
she’s hilarious and goofs around with us!” ❧