OFFICIAL SITE OF CANISIUS CRUSADERS ATHLETICS

Orville Roberts, who has coached soccer and trained elite players in Western New York throughout the last two decades, was named the Crusaders' head soccer coach by Canisius Director of Athletics James Mauro in the summer of 2022. 
 
"Orville is a widely respected coach who has tremendous passion for the sport of soccer and his players," Mauro said.
 
Roberts, who is also a coach with the WNY Flash, has coached in Western New York for 23 years and has been a mentor of elite-level players for more than 15 years. Some of those players include former Crusader standouts Charles Stube '16, JP Bobak '17 and Tyler Krouse '17.
 
"This really means a lot – Canisius comes with a standard; this is a high brand," said Roberts. "I've been a part of this whole culture for two decades, in coaching and training some of the elite players who have played here. Just the dynamic of the big rivalries – I've been a part of it indirectly, now I'm stepping in directly."
 
Roberts' coaching experience includes 10 years with the Delaware Soccer Club and six years with Rush Academy (which was formerly known as Global Premier Soccer). He also has coached with the Buffalo Soccer Academy, Empire Soccer Academy and at Hilbert College.  
 
"You just keep building on the culture that's here," said Roberts, "with young men becoming good citizens. That part is important. That's one thing in regards to me – win, lose or draw, my teams are not going to come off the field [acting poorly]. Somebody wins, somebody loses, but let people see: These guys have integrity, and dignity."
  
"I have great confidence that Orville will continue to build on the momentum Joe Salem created last year," Mauro said.
  
Roberts, a native of Jamaica who attended high school in the Syracuse area, was recruited to play soccer at Buffalo State. He lives in Cheektowaga with his family, including Canisius graduate Owen Roberts '25 (his son).