Springfield, Ohio – When Wittenberg University’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving team members need a little extra motivation at this week’s 2015 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championship meet, they need look no further than the pool deck at Denison’s Trumbull Aquatics Center. Cheering them on will be senior team captain Eric Roberts (Willits, Calif./Willits), who has already overcome the greatest of odds simply to be there for support.
Roberts, the Tigers’ Most Valuable Diver each of the last two seasons, has made a spectacular recovery after suffering severe facial injuries while competing in the 3-meter competition at the Transylvania Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 6. The injuries may have ended his collegiate career prematurely, but Roberts has found a new way to make important contributions to his team after the university community provided so much support and encouragement to him.
“The support I received can’t be described better than the word ‘inspirational’,” Roberts said. “I had no idea that so many people loved me, let alone knew who I was. In addition to the countless letters, gifts, texts, calls and visits while in the hospital, I heard of conversations that had taken place in my absence that led to peers bringing my story home to their churches, where they gave me their prayers and support.
“My family flew out to see me and supported me every step of the way, even when it was late and difficult to watch, and my friends drove for hours numerous times to Lexington to see me for a few hours. While there are no words to perfectly describe how the support affected me, I came out of the hospital knowing that the only difficult part of recovery would be waiting for my body to heal.”
Upon his return to campus just a few weeks after striking his head on the diving board at the University of Kentucky’s Lancaster Aquatic Center, Roberts quickly stepped into a much-needed mentoring role. The Tigers’ diving coach, Jim Smith, was terminally ill due to cancer, so Roberts provided new leadership during the team’s annual training trip to Florida during the university’s winter break.
Instead of preparing to compete in the stretch run of the 2014-15 season, Roberts joined longtime assistant swimming coach Daneen Maughmer to coach the Tigers’ divers. His tutelage has taken on greater importance following Smith’s passing on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
“Coaching has been my way of staying committed to my team,” Roberts said. “After all the support that they’ve shown me, I couldn’t just walk off! While the situation with our beloved Jim has come to an upsetting conclusion, I am now in a position to really encourage our divers to dive in his memory with the commitment that he has shown us all these years.”
Roberts said Smith refused to complain about his illness, which affected him for more than eight years, and he insisted that his divers focus only on the things they could control. In diving, that means putting in the work to achieve goals, since there are no shortcuts to success.
“We are only as strong as we allow ourselves to be,” said Roberts, a sociology major who continues to make progress catching up on classwork he missed while recuperating from his injuries. “In his memory and honor, I am trying to coach and live my last semester at Wittenberg with this idea. Never give up, and laugh at yourself when you fail. It isn’t worth stressing over something if you can’t control it.”
Head Coach Natalie Koukis said she has learned a great deal about herself, her sport, and her community during the 2014-15 season as well.
“The events of this season show how much sport goes beyond competition,” Koukis said. “We are a true community. The people on this team, at Wittenberg, and in the greater swimming and diving family have taught us that through thick and thin we are always there for each other.
“Regardless of the end results in the pool, the lessons we learn are lifelong examples of what it means to be part of something greater than oneself.”
Roberts is looking forward to seeing his teammates excel at the NCAC meet, which runs from Wednesday, Feb. 11, through Saturday, Feb. 14. Freshman Kaitlyn Black (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) is among the top contenders after meeting the NCAA Division III provisional qualifying standards in both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions earlier in the season.
Written By: Ryan Maurer