The Passion of a Pirate

“College sports baby! It’s about the passion; it’s about the love.  It’s about the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back.”  ESPN’s college basketball color commentator Dick Vitale hoarsely declared that little tidbit of simple genius during last week’s University of Kansas / Kansas State game.  

It’s true.  College sports are different than any other level or organization of athletics in America. 

There is no question about it.  No one matches the intensity of the NCAA or NIAA or any other collective collegiate athletic organization, no amateurs or professionals, not little league and not major league.  It just doesn’t happen, and it’s not for lack of effort. 

There are fanatics of most every team in existence.  Parents fight each other at little league games, but ulterior motives are usually in play, like — sometimes —   their children’s best interests. 

Professional sports have their passionate moments, like the intense rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, but none can hold a candle to the ardor of college fans, week in and week out.

The AASU Pirate family has a member that utterly epitomizes the passion of collegiate sports.  He does so while showing appropriate tact, and without flaunting his own success like so many flashbulb addicted athletes and coaches do these days.

Pirate baseball head coach Joe Roberts has been in charge of baseball operations at AASU since 1980, that translates to mean that he is entering his 30th season at AASU  He has been coaching the Pirates through wins (he is the active wins leader in division II baseball with 1,150) with a few losses sprinkled in (547 to be exact) and a whole lot of growth, both of his players and himself for three decades.

The numbers are one thing, but the most impressive trait that defines Roberts is his unquestioned loyalty.  Consistency is one of the rarest characteristics when it comes to any type of professional coach. 

A handful of things could go wrong.  The athletic director could want a coaching change, the alumni or boosters could want a change, and of course the coach could want a change –all of which lead to inconsistency at the coaching level.  Luckily, none of that has plagued AASU’s baseball program.

Roberts, the quintessential baseball man, was recently inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club’s hall of fame for his coaching achievements while at AASU.  It was a long due respect that has finally been paid to a man that positively affected the game that he cherishes and loves.

Passion is college sports, and passion is Coach Joe Roberts, the ultimate Pirate.
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