EIU Announces Hiring Of Keith Roberts As Director of Track and Field

Eastern Illinois Director of Athletics Tom Michael has announced the hiring of Keith Roberts as the new Director of Track and Field for the Panthers.  He becomes just the fourth director of track and field in the program’s NCAA Division I history.

“Eastern Illinois has a long and successful tradition of success in the sport of track and field. Keith Roberts has also had a successful career in developing student-athletes that excel not only on the track but also in the classroom,” said Michael. “We are excited to welcome Keith and his family to EIU. Keith will build a culture reflective of the successes of the student-athletes in the track program while they prepare to be successful after they graduate from EIU.”

Roberts arrives at EIU after serving six years as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh.During his time there, Roberts  helped with Pitt’s transition from the Big East to the ACC. With his assistance the men’s track and field team rose from 11th in the conference to 4th place.  Roberts has recruited and coached ACC scorers in the women’s 60 hurdles, men’s 60 hurdles, women’s 100m dash, men’s 200m dash, women’s 400m dash, men’s 400m dash, women’s 400 hurdles, men’s 400 hurdles, men’s and women’s 4x100 relay and men’s and women’s 4x400 relay.  

“I am honored to be named the next Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Eastern Illinois University.  I’m excited to get started and look forward to helping the student-athletes grow athletically and academically,” said Roberts.  “I want to thank Dr. Glassman, Tom Michael, Mark Bonnstetter and the rest of the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead such a great program. EIU has tremendous tradition and I look forward to working with the athletic administration, coaching staff and student-athletes.”

Roberts helped rewrite the Pitt record books as he guided 14 of his student-athletes to Top 10 finishes in school history. While this list comprises athletes from numerous sprint and hurdle events, Eddita Pessima and Shyheim Wright stand as two of Roberts’ top performers. Under his tutelage, Pessima broke the school record in the 60 hurdles (8.23), is ranked 2nd in school history in the 100 hurdles (13.16), and 5th in the 400 hurdles (58.72), placed 3rd in the 60 hurdles at ACC Championships, while earning ACC All-Academic honors. Wright finished his career ranked 2nd in school history in the 60 hurdles at 7.67, a time that was Top 10 in the NCAA final rankings in 2020. At the 2019 ACC Outdoor Championships, Roberts coached a runner-up performance in the 110 hurdles, 4 NCAA East Regional qualifiers, and 25 points in the men’s hurdles, helping Pitt’s men finish 4th place, the highest finish for Pitt at an ACC Championships.  Roberts also assisted with Desmond Palmer, who earned All-American honors in both hurdle events in 2017, with personal bests of 13.50 in the 110 hurdles and 49.17 in the 400 hurdles.  Roberts also recruited and coached members of the 2021 men’s All American 4x400 relay and the 2017 women’s national qualifying 4x400 relay.

Additionally, Roberts has taken part in committee work while at Pitt, including being on the Panthers United board, Culture Committee and being a liaison for the Development team.  

Before his arrival to Pitt, Roberts was an Associate Head Coach at Grand Valley State University. During his time at GVSU, Roberts helped coach 4 NCAA Women’s Team Championships, 19 GLIAC Championship team titles, 37 All Americans, 20 school records, and 49 GLIAC champions. 

One of his most notable performances came from Illinois native Sean Wells.  Under Roberts’ guidance, Wells became an NCAA champion in both the 60 hurdles (7.78) and 110 hurdles (13.68). Roberts also mentored Kalena Franklin who garnered more than 10 All-American honors and earned a school record. 

During his tenure at GVSU Roberts coached All Americans and NCAA qualifiers in every event from the 60 to the 800, including Michaela Lewis (60), Brittney Banister (60, 100), Angie Ritter (100), Kalena Franklin (60h, 100h, 200), Sean Wells (60h, 110h, 200), Nate Hammersmith (400), Chris Teitsma (400h), Logan Hoffman (400h), TJ Burnett (400h), Andrea Kober (400h), Lisa Galasso (800), Breanna Luba (60h, 400h), Chanelle Caldwell (800), women’s 4x100, and men’s and women’s 4x400.  While at GV, Roberts also coordinated the team’s academic assistance program as the women’s team earned USTFCCCA Scholar Program of the Year honors.  

Roberts and his wife Tessa have two children, Kaia Grace and Keith Anthony III.