Loyd Roberts

Loyd Thomas "Preacher" Roberts (1907 – July 4, 1989) was an American college football and college basketball player and coach. He played football and basketball at Tulane University. Roberts served as the head football coach at Arkansas State Teachers College—now known as the University of Central Arkansas in 1941 and East Tennessee State College—now known as East Tennessee State University—from 1947 to 1951, compiling a career college football coaching record of 26–26–2. He was also the head basketball coach at Arkansas State Teachers in 1941–42, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1946–47, and East Tennessee State in 1947–48, tallying a career college basketball mark of 36–25.

Loyd Roberts
Roberts c. 1929
Biographical details
Born1907
Stigler, Oklahoma
DiedJuly 4, 1989 (aged 82)
Johnson City, Tennessee
Playing career
Football
1929–1930Tulane
Basketball
1928–1931Tulane
Position(s)Center (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
c. 1931–1940Homer HS (LA)
1941Arkansas State Teachers
1944Iowa State (line)
1946VMI (line)
1947–1951East Tennessee State
Basketball
c. 1931–1941Homer HS (LA)
1941–1942Central Arkansas
1946–1947VMI
1947–1948East Tennessee State
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1941–1942Arkansas State Teachers
1947–1953East Tennessee State
Head coaching record
Overall26–26–2 (college football)
36–25 (college basketball)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
Football
2× All-Southern (1929, 1930)

Playing career

Roberts played both football and basketball for the Tulane Green Wave of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. His brother, Floyd Roberts, was called "Little Preacher" and played as a halfback for Tulane next to Don Zimmerman.[1]

Football

Roberts was a prominent center for Tulane Green Wave football team, including the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship football teams of 1929 and 1930, quarterbacked by Red Dawson. Roberts wore number 45.

1929

Roberts anchored the line on the undefeated SoCon champion 1929 team.[2]

1930

Roberts was elected captain of the 1930 team.[3][4] He was selected All-Southern.[5]

Coaching career

Central Arkansas

Roberts spent a year coaching for the Central Arkansas Bears, compiling a record of 3–6.[6]

VMI

After serving in the United States Navy as a lieutenant during World War II, Roberts was hired as line coach at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), working under head football coach Pooley Hubert.[7]

East Tennessee State

Roberts spent five seasons as the head football coach at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee from 1947 to 1951, compiling a record of 23–20–2. He also served as the basketball coach for one season in 1947–48 and was the athletic director from 1947 to 1953.[8]

Death

Thomas died on July 4, 1989, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.[9]

Head coaching record

College football
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Arkansas State Teachers Bears (Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) (1941)
1941 Arkansas State Teachers 3–6
Arkansas State Teachers: 3–6
East Tennessee State Buccaneers (Smoky Mountain Conference) (1947–1951)
1947 East Tennessee State 5–4
1948 East Tennessee State 6–2–1
1949 East Tennessee State 5–4
1950 East Tennessee State 3–5–1
1951 East Tennessee State 4–5
East Tennessee State: 23–20–2
Total:26–26–2

References
  1. "Roberts Newest Threat In Green Wave's Attack". Lincoln Evening Journal. November 15, 1932. p. 13. Retrieved March 17, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Year by Year Summaries" (PDF). p. 135.
  3. "22 Captains To Lead Grid Teams". The Index-Journal. September 12, 1930. p. 9. Retrieved March 17, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Bring On The Wildcats". Chicago Tribune. September 28, 1930. p. 4.
  5. "All-Southern". San Antonio Express. December 4, 1930.
  6. http://ucasports.com/custompages/FBRecords/FBCoaching.pdf
  7. "Lloyd Roberts Report To VMI". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. March 15, 1946. p. 14. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .
  8. Roberts, L. Thomas (2007). East Tennessee State University Football. Arcadia Publishing. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  9. "Loyd T. Roberts rites Thursday". Clarksdale Press Register. Clarksdale, Mississippi. July 5, 1989. p. 2. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .
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