The drive down West Carleton Road that leads to the city of Hillsdale greets passersby with a sign: “Hillsdale, it’s the people.”
That sign reminds Hillsdale Academy Assistant Headmaster and Athletic Director Mike Roberts of why he decided to settle in the city of his alma mater where he has lived for more than 13 years.
“Being a student athlete at Hillsdale was a great experience in every way,” Roberts said. “I discovered Hillsdale because of sports and then came to understand how great of a fit it was academically for me.”
As a Charger, Roberts was a three-time All American in track and a leader on the athletic field and in the classroom.
“At the time it was a goal for me to be an All American. It wasn’t something I thought was possible but it was something for me to shoot for and it is something that I am still proud of,” Roberts said.
During his time at Hillsdale, Roberts developed a love for the town while discovering a passion for teaching and administration. The rigor of Hillsdale academics along with the time commitment of athletics equipped Roberts with essential skills to create a successful career in administration.
Since Roberts took over as athletic director at the academy in 2002, the school has earned 45 Conference Championships, 12 District Championships, and nine Regional Championships. They also had 25 student athletes who went on to compete in NCAA athletics.
“I think all the time how being a student athlete helped me,” Roberts said. “I had a full plate in college and that trained me to do my job. With education in general as well as administration, working with people and my college experience made a good segway into what I do now.”
After he graduated in 1998, Roberts coached track for a year with Bill Lundberg and then left for three years before returning to the academy in the fall of 2002. He has been teaching at the college for nearly six years.
“Because of my experience as a student, there was a definite draw to Hillsdale when I got offered the job at the academy. I get to combine my passion of working with kids K-12 with teaching at the college which is awesome,” Roberts said.
Since his return, Roberts has continued to invest in the community. He coaches the academy track team, teaches a history and philosophy of physical education class at the college as well as being the assistant headmaster and athletic director at the academy.
“I think the fact that he decided to come back to Hillsdale for a career shows a lot about how great the community is. I enjoyed taking his class and having him as an instructor,” said college senior Sean Bennett.
Whether he is teaching, coaching, or leading athletics, Roberts continues to instill the lessons he learned into future contributors to the community.
“It is valuable having an alumnus who knows what it takes to be a student athlete at a place like Hillsdale teaching and coaching students here now. I think the fact that he has been through it is important to his students and athletes,” said senior P.J. Cooley, who took Roberts’ class.
Roberts fell in love with Hillsdale while representing the Chargers on the track. Now he continues to show his support by working with student athletes. Most alumni give back by donating money. Mike Roberts gives instead his time for the young people in Hillsdale.