University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
HOMECOMING Fan Feature: Traci Roberts
10/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Love became Traci Roberts’s permanent HOMECOMING.
Traci was born and raised in Milton, Florida where she attended Pace High School. Traci met Lee Roberts in the 8th grade and they instantly became close friends. Early during their junior year in high school they started dating but little did Traci know she would follow him to his dream of playing college football.
Traci had been accepted to Auburn University where she planned to attend pharmacy school, but Lee was still unsure where he would end up. A few months later Lee signed with Southern Miss and Traci had to revisit her decision to go to Auburn. “It was tough,” Traci said. “I knew if I went to Auburn I wouldn’t see him play ball, and that’s really what I wanted to do.” Lee knew he wanted Traci in Hattiesburg so he simply asked, “If you can’t be a War Eagle, can you be a Golden Eagle?” So she applied to Southern Miss, and was accepted.
Dating was difficult, as time was in short supply between games, work and class. They hardly got to see each other. Marriage was in their plans, but not until graduation. That changed when their junior year came around. Instead of worrying about when they would see each other, or when the next date was, they decided to get married and were wed on March 9, 1996.
Not only was Traci earning a degree in Elementary Education but she was involved with the Athletic Department during her time at Southern Miss. She was a Golden Girl under Coach Coleman and was able to speak with recruits about her experience and also her husband’s experience. “Coach Coleman was a great man to work for. He truly cared about his players and support staff,” Traci said.
Traci remembers the HOMECOMING games specifically because of the atmosphere on campus. “There is just an excitement around campus, the atmosphere is infectious,” Traci said. “It’s just a special week for not only students but alumni as well.” The pep rally and the parade are things that are unique to HOMECOMING besides the football game itself.
Now as alumni, the Roberts family likes to celebrate this special week with somewhat of a reunion, you might say. Traci calls old classmates and friends to come out to tailgate and watch the game. “It’s a great time to catch up and see people you may not have seen in a year or more,” Traci said.
When asked about her favorite HOMECOMING game, Traci recalled their senior season together as Lee led the Golden Eagle football team. “It just became so real that this would be the last time on the field for us,” Traci said.
The couple had just had a son, Brennen, and Lee was the starting quarterback. The team played Conference USA rival East Carolina and won by a resounding score of 41-7. That was also the year the Golden Eagles went on to play in the Humanitarian Bowl.
“If you can’t make any other week HOMECOMING is a week not to miss at The Rock,” Traci said.
HOMECOMING has become a family affair for Lee and Traci Roberts. The family gets together to tailgate and cheer on the Golden Eagles. The Roberts have only missed one HOMECOMING game in the past 20 years and look forward to the many more to come. Their four sons have grown up around Southern Miss, especially football games, and the entire family is rooted in the Black and Gold Tradition.
Traci is now working at Temple Baptist Church as the Preschool Director and her husband Lee is Southern Miss’ football color commentator. As they do every year, they are eagerly looking forward to this year’s HOMECOMING game on October 29 when the Golden Eagles host Marshall at The Rock.
