Diane Baker-Roberts knew she was qualified to be Carson High's next athletic director, but she admits it took some convincing of herself that it could actually be a reality.
"I said, 'I can do this,'" Roberts said. But then came the realization that she would actually be offered the position. "When it came down to it, I didn't think i would be offered the job," she said.
So when Roberts was offered the job, she said she went through a "stresful 48 hours" trying to decide if she would take it.
Roberts has taken the job and will replace outgoing Ron McNutt as Carson's athletic director. With long-time roots in the community and extensive experience in various capacities as an educator and a coach, Roberts would seem to be the perfect fit to be Carson's next athletic director.
"I was looking at retiring in two years," she said. "But now I'm going to stay longer."
Roberts' on-the-job training is already underway. "I'm already learing the ropes," said Roberts, who added McNutt has been a valuable resource. "There's a lot more involved, the little things. I had no idea."
Roberts will continue as the Senators' girls tennis coach. Roberts is in her second stint as Carson's girls tennis coach.
It may be tricky for Roberts to be the tennis coach during the busy fall sports season, especially when she'll have to help set up for football games. "I don't want to give it up," Roberts said. "We hope it works out."
But Roberts will be working closely with a valuable resource in Pat Houlihan, Carson's boys tennis coach, who is also an assistant principal. Houlihan is a former athletic director as well.
"He's going to be a great support," Roberts said. "He's been there and we are good friends. He'll be a wonderful source."
In her first year, Roberts said she's not going to make any major changes. "I'm not out to change the world," she said. "I just really need to learn."
Among her priorities will be eligibility issues and fund-raising. Among the changes that have already been made that Roberts will benefit from is the new concession-restroom-officials dressing faciltiy at the athletic complex.
It's hoped that eight new tennis courts will also be constructed on campus in time for the fall. Roberts said her long-range goal is to host zone and state tournaments at CHS.
Another long-range goal is an on-campus wrestling complex. In the past, Carson's wrestlers have worked out in a far too cramped room upstairs above Morse Burley Gym and this year used the Carson Bulldogs' facility in the old Nevada Appeal building on Bath Street.
"We don't have a wrestling complex," Roberts said. "It needs to be looked into."
Another immediate need that hopefully be met by a November bond measure is the repair of the unusable CHS track. "It is sort of an embarrasing track," Roberts said.
Roberts graduated from Carson in 1975 and in the fall of 1974 during her senior year, teamed with Rebecca Ford to win the state doubles title. She went on to the University of Nevada where she earned a degree in physical education and health.
She worked as a truant officer before becoming a teacher. She has taught P.E. and math and Eagle Valley Middle School and CHS.
Her coaching experience also includes seventh grade boys basketball for 10 years and eighth grade girls basketball. She coached softball for 20 years at Carson on the junior varsity and varsity levels. She had three straight unbeaten season as the JV level. She's also coached skiing at CHS.
From her days as an athlete, Roberts has seen the growth of girls sports. "I think it's very equivalent here at Carson High and what I see in the North," said Roberts about how girls sports stands with boys sports at Carson and Northern Nevada.