ARDEN E. “STRETCH” ROBERSON CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m.
Ohio Northern University’s English Chapel
Followed by a buffet in the ONU's McIntosh Center
Arden E. “Stretch” Roberson, BSEd '49, H of F '75, a U.S. Navy Veteran, served in World War II from 1944-46 before graduating from Ohio Northern University in 1949 with a degree in health and physical education. He later earned a Master of Science in education from Kent State University.
After graduating from ONU, Roberson started the football program at Huron High School in 1949, and from 1950-55, he coached football, basketball and track in Mentor, Ohio. From 1956-57, he coached football and track at Massillon High School, and from 1958-59, he coached football, basketball and track at Baldwin-Wallace.
Roberson returned to ONU in 1960 as an associate professor of health and education and the head football coach. He led the Polar Bear football team until 1969. After his coaching career, he continued serving the University as an associate professor of health and education until his retirement in 1984.
Roberson was inducted into Ohio Northern’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975 and was a proud member of the “N” Men’s Alumni Association, for which he served on the Board of Directors. In 2008, Roberson was named associate professor emeritus. In 2004, Dial-Roberson Stadium opened on ONU’s campus, named in part for Roberson.
After his retirement from ONU, Roberson remained active with all aspects of the University and the village of Ada, particularly the sports programs. His dear wife, Fran, preceded him in death in 2000. His presence will be dearly missed on campus.
Roberson has a son, Michael Roberson, BA ’77, and a daughter, Terry (Roberson) Monroy, BA ’81.
