BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Danny Roberts, a 2003 inductee into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame who led Campbell's men's basketball and golf teams to national prominence, passed away Sunday (Feb. 5) at the age of 88.
A former two-sport athlete at Campbell, Roberts led the Camels to the 1977 NAIA men's basketball title game and through the program's transition to the NCAA Division I level. He served as head men's basketball coach of the Camels from Jan. 1969 through 1983 and guided the program to 233 victories, most ever among Campbell Basketball Coaches.
Roberts led the team to four 20-win seasons through 1977, then guided Campbell through its first six years as a Division I independent. He was a three-time District Coach of the Year and served as Director of the Campbell Basketball School from 1969-83.
In addition, he served as head golf coach from 1963-69 – leading his squad to national top five finishes three times. After leaving his basketball responsibilities, he returned to coach the golf team from 1983-87.
A native of Siler City, N.C., Roberts was an all-state performer in both baseball and basketball at Siler City High School. His long and fruitful association with Campbell began in 1953 when he enrolled to play basketball and baseball. After earning his A.A. degree, he went on to Pfeiffer College and graduated with a B.A. degree in physical education in 1957.
He served two years in the U.S. Army, then earned his master's degree from the University of North Carolina in 1959.
Roberts began his coaching career at the junior high and high school level before returning to Campbell in 1963 to become assistant basketball coach to Fred McCall and head golf coach.
His golf teams were outstanding in the 1960s. He was three times named NAIA District 29 coach of the year and guided the Camels to 12 tournament titles plus three NAIA top-five finishes in an eight year span.
Roberts took over for McCall as head men's basketball coach during the 1968-69 Christmas break. Not only did he guide the Camels to 233 wins over the next 15 seasons, but he served as Director of the Campbell Basketball School, which at the time was the nation's oldest and largest summer basketball camp.
Three times chosen as NAIA basketball District 29 coach of the year and Area 5 coach of the year in 1970, Roberts led the Camels to a pair of NAIA national tournament appearances in 1970 and 1977. The 1977 squad made history by becoming the first unseeded team in NAIA history to reach the finals.
One of the most respected basketball coaches in the country, from 1969-77 Roberts served as NAIA District 29 basketball chairman and was Area 5 chairman from 1972-77. He was a member of the NAIA All-America basketball selection committee from 1975-77.
After taking over from Coach McCall as Director of the Campbell Basketball School, Roberts organized and ran the nation's most prominent summer camp for 15 years, coaching alongside such basketball greats as John Wooden and Press Maravich.
He guided the Camels to double-figure win totals in five of the program's first six years as an NCAA Division I member – all while competing as an independent. He retired from college basketball coaching two years before the Big South Conference played its inaugural season (1985-86).
After leaving Campbell in 1987, Roberts returned to his native Randolph County and guided Eastern Randolph High School to 100 victories and a pair of league titles in five seasons.
Last August, Roberts was able to participate in the induction of his 1976 All-American Marshall Lovett into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame during a special ceremony at Fayetteville, N.C.
Memories
"Coach Danny Roberts had a tremendous impact on my life as a player, a student, and as a young man. Coach gave me an opportunity in life when I needed it, and he impacted so many young people in positive ways through the Campbell basketball camp, the varsity team, and throughout the community and across the region. He was a second father to me, and I loved him dearly. He will truly be missed."
-- Fred Whitfield '80, Campbell and North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame member, President, Vice Chairman, Alternate Governor & Minority Owner of the Charlotte Hornets and 23XI Racing
"I still have a letter that Coach Roberts sent to me on February 24, 1967 telling me that Campbell was a perfect fit for me. I went to Campbell because of him. His way of dealing with his players helped make us grow and become champions. It was an incredible experience participating on this team he put together. A common comment that I've heard from teammates after reflecting on his passing is what a Christian man he was. They remembered."
-- Sam Brewer '71, Campbell Hall of Fame member, Golf All-American
"Coach Roberts was a legendary basketball coach who laid the groundwork in Campbell University basketball's transition to NCAA Division I. His many sacrifices and hard work paved the way and laid the foundation for all who experience the success of Campbell athletics as it is today. He touched the lives of so many; those he taught, coached, and mentored over the years. I was blessed to have Coach Roberts as one of my teachers when I first arrived at Campbell as a freshman in 1975. I also was a student when he and his team captured the hearts of everyone on our campus and across the country when they made their amazing run and finished second in the nation in the NAIA basketball tournament in Kansas City. He will forever be in our hearts and his memory will live on as we cling to our lasting and cherished memories of him always. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family as well as his extended basketball family at this sad and difficult time. RIP Coach!"
-- Wanda Watkins '79, Campbell and Big South Hall of Fame member, Senior Associate Athletics Director, Women's Basketball Coach 1981-2016
