Senior David Pruett - Lander University

Steve Roberts, Assistant CoachSteve Roberts, Assistant CoachSteve Roberts, who is no strangerto the Lander basketball program,returns for his 12th year as anassistant coach.A four-year letterman (1980-84),he graduated from Lander in 1984with a bachelor’s degree in healthand physical education. While playingfor Lander University, the then-Senators averaged 19 wins a season.Roberts is currently third in mostgames played in a career at LanderSteve Robertswith 125 games.Roberts, who last year was named the Lakelands FCA Coachof the Year, is beginning his 27th year of coaching at the collegiatelevel. He started his career as a fellow graduate assistantwith Jeff Burkhamer at Winthrop University under Neild Gordon.Roberts coached at North Greenville College for one seasonbefore joining the staff at then-USC Spartanburg. In 1990-91, theRifles advanced to the NAIA National Tournament and finishedfifth in the country with a record of 29-3. The following season,1991-92, Roberts helped lead the Rifles to the inaugural PeachBelt Championship, a berth to the NCAA Tournament and a No.7 final national ranking. After four seasons at USCS, Robertsworked as an LU assistant for his former coach, Finis Horne.Since 1994, Roberts has had the opportunity to be an assistantcoach at Mars Hill College, Coastal Carolina University andCampbell University before returning to Mars Hill in 1999 as thehead coach. After three seasons at Mars Hill, Roberts returned toLander as an assistant for Coach Chipper Bagwell. Roberts hasthe distinction of being the only person to work for all four headcoaches in the history of the men’s basketball program at Lander.Lander assistant coach Steve Roberts with wife Dana and sons Luke(left) and Matthew.“I am thankful to be a part of Lander athletics and it’s basketballprogram,” said Roberts. “Being associated with Lander for30-plus years, I see it as an opportunity for me and my family tobe at a place that has good people, a good basketball tradition andexcellent community support.”Roberts credits Coach Horne and his former high school coach,Harvey Tankersley, as his biggest influences in his career.“Both of these coaches passed on to me a great deal of knowledgeof the game, but also stressed the importance of an education,”said Roberts.The Greenville native is married to the former Dana Lam ofWaynesboro, Va., and they have two children, Matthew, 17, andLuke, 15.12 Lander Basketball