Roberts' retirement brings to a close a memorable 34-year career at College of the Siskiyous
WEED - During his many years at the College, he has taught a wide variety of physical education courses; coached softball, football, and track and field; and, since 2003, has served as the College’s Athletic Director.
On June 30, Dennis Roberts, also known as ‘DR’ will lock up his office for the final time when he retires following a 34-year career at College of the Siskiyous. During his many years at the College, he has taught a wide variety of physical education courses; coached softball, football, and track and field; and, since 2003, has served as the College’s Athletic Director.
Roberts first came to College of the Siskiyous as a student. He grew up in Siskiyou County where he attended Yreka High School and College of the Siskiyous after transferring from College of the Redwoods to play football for
retired Head Coach James Ray. He was a member of the first Siskiyous conference football championship team in 1977 as a defensive back and was named to the All-Golden Valley Conference (GVC) team. Roberts transferred to Southern Oregon University where he continued playing football; he was an All-Evergreen and All-Northwest Conference honoree. He received his Bachelor’s degree and lifetime Community College Teaching Credential from Southern Oregon University in 1985.
In 1984, Roberts returned home to College of the Siskiyous as a member of the Eagle Football Coaching staff as the defensive backs coach. In 1986, he was hired as a Physical Education and Kinesiology tenure-track instructor. During his tenure at Siskiyous, he was the head football coach from 1993-95 and 2000-2002, spent six years as head coach of the Women’s Softball team, and three years as head coach for Track and Field.
For the past 17 years Roberts has served as the Siskiyous Eagles Athletic Director following former director Phil Maas’ retirement.
During his time as the Director of Athletics the department has grown from eight to twelve collegiate sports teams for both men and women. Thanks to Roberts’ leadership, the Siskiyous Eagles coaching staff and student athletes have helped the College to host three home football bowl games; sent numerous athletes to state playoffs / championship events (most notably Women’s Basketball (2017), Football (2017), Softball (2017), Cross Country (2019), and Track & Field), and repeatedly hosted state playoff basketball games. In 2003, in partnership with the College of the Siskiyous Foundation, Roberts and former Siskiyous coaching staff initiated the Siskiyous Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing former student athletes and coaches for their achievements. In 2007,
Roberts began a public recognition from the College’s Athletic Department recognizing student athlete scholars for their scholastic achievements.
“DR is an institution within our institution,” stated Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker, current College of the Siskiyous President. “Starting as a successful student athlete at Siskiyous, Dennis has devoted most of his career to helping our students have the opportunity to gain a premier education by earning a degree from the College while satisfying their love of playing competitive sports beyond high school. There is no one who loves College of the Siskiyous more than DR; and while he will be missed on campus every day, he will also be remembered fondly for his dedication and commitment to athletics, the campus community, but most of all to all of the thousands of students he faithfully served. DR’s legacy at the College is intact, and will remain to shine brightly for others here to follow, and emulate, for many years and decades to come.”
On July 1, former Head Football Coach Charlie Roche will take over as the new Athletic Director.
“Coach Roberts has been a leader in the athletics department at Siskiyous as well as throughout the state of California for decades,” said Coach Roche. “It is hard for me to imagine the College without him. He has always been unconditionally supportive after football games, win or lose. He has an ability to listen with an open mind and always find a solution,” he continued. “Coach has always been about what is best for the students and for their success. There are thousands students whose lives have been changed for the better because of the positive impact he had on them, including myself. He is the epitome of the Siskiyou values - integrity, excellence and openness. His legacy will live on forever.”
(Dawnie Slabaugh, College of the Siskiyous Public Relations)