BJ Robertson believes there is more to coaching than teaching basketball.
“Basketball has taught me a lot in life,” Robertson said. “Some of the main things are dealing with adversity, learning how to deal with other people from different walks of life, in different cultures.”
Throughout his basketball career, Robertson has encountered many different cultures and situations, experiences that now shape how he approaches coaching.
“I don’t think it set us back as much as it helped us,” Robertson said, referring to last winter’s championship loss. “A lot of our core guys that came back were hungry. They had that experience of being in the championship game and wanted to get back there.”
Sawyer Judkins ’24, a point guard who has played for Robertson for two years, said that mindset has influenced players’ approach to the game.
“Honestly, I’ve been working on being a good teammate, being a positive leader and really thinking about when my teammates are happy,” Judkins said. “It helps me and the other players.”
Robertson said player development extends far beyond physical training.
“We worked the kids, they worked out a lot in the spring, summer and fall,” Robertson said. “And then mentally, it’s a lot of me teaching them ways of how to react on and off the court as players and individuals.”
Players say those lessons emphasize character as much as competition.
“BJ has taught me that it’s bigger than basketball,” Tyrell Robertson ‘28 said. “He always says that after these four years I want you guys to take stuff away from this experience and bring it with you in the outside world.”
Judkins agreed.
“BJ has taught me a lot of things, a lot of life lessons, but probably one of the best things is to be level-headed throughout stressful times,” Judkins said. “To be a leader, you’re going to have to deal with tough situations in the correct manner.”
On the sideline, Robertson checks in with players, greets them individually and brings the team together to discuss goals before practice begins. Players warm up with stretches and full-court layups, often without prompting.
Robertson is a basketball coach and a student support specialist at Burlington High School.
Leander Buckley ’27, who plays on Robertson’s team, described his coaching style as balanced.
“As a coach, he’s definitely very stern,” Buckley said. “He definitely does have a funny side to him, which you don’t really get to see until you’re around him a lot.”
Cagney Brigham, who works with Robertson in the student support center, said Robertson connects easily with students.
“He’s really good at what he does,” Brigham said. “He can relate to the kids. He’s easy to talk to.”
Buckley agreed.
“I find it really comfortable talking to him about anything, quite honestly,” Buckley said.
Robertson said working with students is the most meaningful part of his job.
“My favorite part of BHS are the students,” Robertson said. “They keep me young and keep me in tune with what’s going on in the world, and you guys are fun to be around.”
A Burlington High School graduate, Robertson began as a player on the school’s basketball team. After graduating, he returned as an assistant coach for about four years before becoming more involved in the program.
“I just wanted to be able to help support kids and be a different coach that some kids never got the chance to have,” Robertson said.
