From Las Cruces Sun-News - Sports
Grounded LB heads La. Tech’s defense
By Felix Chavez/Assistant Sports Editor
Sep 29, 2005, 12:43 am

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As a husband and father of four, the football part of life is easy for Louisiana Tech linebacker Barry Robertson.

“Early on, it was tough trying to juggle being a father, a husband, a student and a football player,” said Robertson on Tuesday. “But my kids come first and I know I have to provide for them and provide for their future. Football is something I enjoy doing and if it’s part of my future that would be great, but I’ll provide for my family whether it’s through football or something else.”

The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Robertson is one of the Bulldogs’ top defensive players and a team captain of an 0-2 team that entertains New Mexico State on Saturday in Ruston, La., a game that both teams are desperate to win as it is their WAC opener.

In fact, Robertson was on his way to picking up his children when being interviewed on Tuesday by a reporter.

“My children make it fun and every little thing that they do is tremendous for a father and I want to give them every opportunity in the world to be successful,” Robertson said.

As a young child Robertson was given plenty of chances himself to witness how much fun football is and how much it would impact his career. His two uncles David Dawkins and Lavon Wilson played collegiately at Southern Mississippi. But it was Dawkins who took Robertson to practices and games and allowed him to be around the team.

“My uncle is my role model,” Robertson said. “I learned so much about the game from him and I was fortunate to be around the game so much as a youth. It helped me so much.”

The education as a youth paid off. He had a standout prep career at North Forest High School in Hattiesburg, Miss., followed by a two-year stint at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi. Last year as a junior at Louisiana Tech, he started eight games and collected 71 tackles, 71/2 tackles for a loss and an interception.

Through two games this year, Robertson leads the team in tackles with 19 and is tied for first on the team with eight solo tackles.

“If you work hard every day in the film room, on the field and in the weight room, good things happen,” Robertson said. “I play the game hard and try to be the best I can every day. Preparation has helped me become a good player, but I understand there are things I have to better at.”

This week, the Bulldogs face an Aggie team that is 0-4 after losses to New Mexico, Texas-El Paso, Colorado and California. The Aggies offense had struggled for the most part in the first three games but with junior quarterback Joey Vincent under center last week against Cal, the Aggies had the best offensive effort of the season in a 41-13 loss. Running back Justine Buries also ran for over 100 yards for the second straight week.

“New Mexico State has a good quarterback and good running back and I don’t underestimate anyone,” Robertson said. “Everyone at this level of football can play. We have to avoid the big play and try to come up with big plays.”

Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com

Copyright © 2004 Las Cruces Sun-News, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper.