Jackson Roberts was more than a student coach for the men’s lacrosse team. He was more than an outstanding high school lacrosse player. He was more than an exceptional student. Jackson Roberts was a kind, enthusiastic and selfless young man who has impacted the lives of so many people wherever he has gone.
On Friday, Jan. 12, senior Jackson Roberts was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident around 10 p.m. at the intersection of Poinsett Highway and Rutherford Road. His passing has rattled the university and the lacrosse community.
Roberts came to Furman as a 6’5 freshman eager to help build the lacrosse program into a conference powerhouse. However, Roberts suffered a leg injury during his senior year at Memphis University School, which led to him stepping down at the beginning of his sophomore year from his playing duties. Roberts asked head coach Richie Meade to see if there was any other way he could help the team. “He (Roberts) came to me and said he would like to be involved and help the team out any way he can,” Meade said.
Roberts did that and then some, becoming a student coach and helping out with all the odds and ends of a lacrosse team that oftentimes go unnoticed and unpraised. “Jackson understood all the little things and was willing to do the things that people wouldn’t want to do,” Meade said. “He (Roberts) would do the laundry for the team and was consistent and thoughtful with everything he did for us.”
The hard work Roberts put in for the team paid off. Last season, the Paladins won the Southern Conference championship. Although Jackson will not be with the team, they will continue to carry on with their goal of winning another Southern Conference title and competing in the NCAA tournament. “I told our team this the other day: We will laugh again and we will smile again,” Coach Meade said. “You are going to remember him (Roberts) in years to come with a smile on your face.”
Roberts contributions to the men’s lacrosse team and Furman University are a perfect example of what an Influential Paladin is.
The lacrosse team will open their season on Feb. 1 at Paladin Stadium and will dedicate every game this season to Roberts.