Alva Review-Courier -

You've heard the terms "slow as molasses in January" or "getting blood out of a turnip." That aptly describes the winning coach and teacher Steve Roberts talking about his many accomplishments.

Roberts and his wife Kay have been part of the South Barber School District in Kiowa, Kansas, 25 years where he's taught math and coached Lady Chieftain basketball at South Barber High School with an overall winning record of 400-175. Prior to Coach Roberts, SB girls basketball losing record was 98-211.

His record of winning basketball and honors certainly did not come from Roberts himself, who is the epitome of the song "Humble and Kind." SB Principal Brent Shaffer supplied the requested information.

The Roberts' children are SB grads. Bryce just finished his third year at Fort Hays State University and is studying athletic management. Their daughter Bailey will be a sophomore at Kansas State University majoring in accounting. When the Roberts first came to Kiowa they stayed 10 years, left for three years, returned and have been here since (another 15 years).

Shaffer said that the last 19 years Roberts coached, the Lady Chieftains have won 13 league titles.

"We just try to get better every year," Roberts said. When asked about his teams, Roberts said, "I remember all the teams – each had special qualities. That's the beauty of coaching." He remembers that Jenny Cantrell and Joy Jahay were seniors his first year of coaching at SB.

Roberts took four teams to the state tournament. His 2008 team won third place at state, his best finish. Members were seniors Calli Mathews, Samantha VanRanken, Lori Yearout and Holly Rooks; juniors Kaitlyn Morris, and Kelsie Johnston; sophomores Sara Molz, Dru Hitchcock, Tanner Thurman, Leslie Yearout and Brenna Diel. Team managers were Katie Becker and Summer Girty.

The coach described his longtime team manager Jeff Jahay as "the No. 1 Chieftain fan," and said, "Jeff loves the team unconditionally. He's been working with me 15 years." Those past 15 years, Roberts has been athletic director and still is.

"Any time you go to state it's a fun thing," Roberts said. "Placing at state is a great thing!"

He said appreciatively, "How our community supports these young people is unbelievable."

When asked what he tried to instill in his teams, Roberts replied, "consistency, hard work and discipline." All those winning games, league titles and trips to state "show the girls' consistency, hard work and discipline," he said.

Head basketball coach for the South Barber Lady Chieftains for 25 years, Steve Roberts is in one of his familiar positions on the sideline during a game. He coached his daughter Bailey (at left) throughout her high school career.

Of his teams' success through the years, Roberts said, "It's the kids' accomplishments. They get the guidance and they have to do it."

He said he's most proud of his teams "when they come together to play as a unit. It's like a puzzle – every year fitting the pieces together. That's the fun of it."

As a family man, teacher and coach, Roberts said "you have to balance." He said that coaching and teaching his own children "was different."

He also coaches volleyball and track and will continue in that capacity. At the SB USD 255 board meeting Monday night Roberts agreed to coach the SB junior high Tornadoes girls and boys basketball teams. He also remains the SBHS math teacher.

As for his wife Kay, Roberts said, "I'm blessed to have a great coach's wife."

When asked about his decision to leave the more intense and longer season of the high school girls basketball program, Roberts said, "It was a tough decision. It's lots of investment by the players and myself. But I felt like it was time."