BAIE VERTE -
The face of basketball for 25 years in Baie Verte was honoured on June 20, during a ceremony in St. John's.
Gus Roberts, now retired and living at Flatwater Pond, was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association Hall of Fame in the builder category on Saturday.
"I got a call last January in fact, informing me that I was to be inducted into the basketball hall of fame as a builder," said Mr. Roberts. "It has to do with my coaching career, as I coached basketball from about 1968 to 2000."
The father of two was born in Norris Point in 1949 and spent nine years living in Cormack before moving to Glovertown. Mr. Roberts stayed there until moving to Baie Verte in 1966.
Mr. Roberts began his teaching career in 1972 at St. Piux X High School in Baie Verte, before switching to Beothuck Collegiate; coaching the cross-town rival. Even though his interest in the sport took flight while coaching, Mr. Roberts said he always had an intriguing curiosity with the sport.
"I really took a keen interest at about the age of 13," he said. "Mr. Jim Quick Sr. was the founder of basketball in Baie Verte and his passion for the game is what encouraged and motivated me and was the main reason I took and got a job at St. Piux.
"His son, Jim Quick Jr.; I coached him all the way through his high school career and he was the one who nominated me."
Mr. Roberts said he also has the people of Baie Verte to thank for the honour of being inducted.
"They have always been supportive and encouraging," he said. "When you hear of an honour like this, you start reflecting on the past and it's a great feeling. It's quite an honour."
