Jacob Roeth is the Vikings’ all-time leader in points (1,762), assists (516), steals (229) and free throws made (498). He ranks No. 12 in state history in made free throws. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Being the coach’s son wasn’t always easy for Jacob Roeth, but he will miss playing for his dad and being a Viking. His legacy will live on where he was a four-year starter and the second-winningest player in program history.
Vandalia, OH – Justin Roeth made his way around the locker room hugging each player and giving them positive words after Miami East’s final basketball game.
Then he came to his son, Jacob.
Their embrace lasted a few seconds. The words were few. The emotions, perhaps, were too raw for more. There was so much that could be said, so many moments to relive, so much they could complain about.
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But, no, there would be none of that, especially not complaining. Deep breaths and pats on the back, instead, were needed to focus on the positives of the four years and ignore the negatives.
The Roeth men had just finished four years together as Miami East’s father-son tandem. They lost 51-48 to Brookville in a Division III sectional final at Butler High School. But now was not the time to cry. It was time to reflect on the good stuff and put the bad stuff in perspective because all in all they wouldn’t trade the past four years.
“I never thought this day would come, but it’s here,” Jacob Roeth said. “It’s a little frustrating, a little sad and mixed emotions. But I wouldn’t really say there’s relief to it. It’s sad that it’s over.”
Justin Roeth smiled and talked about the past four years as the team cleared out, carrying their bags, their shoes and memories of an overall good season. Jacob was the last one to walk by and leave a locker room for the final time with his dad as coach. But he didn’t leave his high school career quietly. He made a 3-pointer with seven seconds left, stole the ball with six seconds left and got off a 3-pointer at the buzzer that, had it gone in, would have sent the game to overtime.
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“Jacob is an all-in kid,” Justin Roeth said. “He will battle from start to finish. And there’s not going to be a play that he takes off. He’s been a model for what it should look like to be a student-athlete. And in that moment, we have complete faith for him to make the play he did and have a chance to tie.”
In four years, Jacob Roeth didn’t miss a practice, a shootaround or a summer event. He started all 98 games. He played in 70 victories, which is second most in program history. He’s won multiple player of the year awards and been named to multiple all-star teams. He is East’s career leader in points (1,762), assists (516), steals (229) and free throws made (498). He ranks No. 12 in state history in made free throws. And he’s third in school history in rebounds (495).
“The legacy that he leaves behind is one that these little guys are watching,” Justin Roeth said. “And that’s what you want in a small community.”
Being the coach’s kid
Justin Roeth began raising Jacob alone when his son was 3. That’s when Carrie Chivington Roeth died of cancer. For as long as Jacob can remember, he has followed his dad around from gym to gym, admiring him as a role model.
“He’s had to battle a lot of things in life, and basketball is his comfort. It is where he finds comfort. And I’m glad that he has that.” Miami East head coach Justin Roeth
“I’ve grown up in the gym watching him be a great leader for high school and younger kids,” Jacob Roeth said. “He’s a kindergarten teacher, too, and I just want to be like him some day.”
Being a basketball coach of a successful program in a small town and the son of the coach, however, can be difficult. Adversity comes in many forms and sometimes it filters down from the coach to the coach’s son.
“Jacob has battled through a lot because he’s the coach’s kid and he didn’t ask for that,” Justin Roeth said. “He’s taken it all in stride and puts a lot on his shoulders to make it a successful situation for everybody.”
Sometimes parents and fans complain. Sometimes players leave unhappy for other programs. Sometimes your other best player leaves early like Wes Enis did right before the start of the preseason practice. Enis, who is a cousin to Jacob Roeth, graduated early, enrolled at Lincoln Memorial University in January and joined the basketball team.
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Enis’ departure meant the Vikings had to revamp their offense, find other ways to score and find someone to guard the post because that was Enis’ job against strong post players.
“Everybody knows that we had adversity, not only this year at the beginning of the season, but last year, too,” Jacob Roeth said. “As a team, we just stayed focused, zoned out the noise and got better day in and day out.”
Roeth gets why criticism comes at his dad and himself. Yes, the critics very much represent the minority opinion, but the noise can be deafening.
“It’s tough being a coach’s son, but it’s important to not let that affect you and just stay true to who you are,” Jacob Roeth said. “And never change who you are. Because you’ll always have people that are critical.”
One way they handled the ups and downs was to make the gym about basketball and the home about family. That helped them through the most difficult times at home and on the court.
“We honestly got better throughout the year,” Jacob Roeth said of the team. “And that’s what it’s all about. We didn’t just get better on the basketball court. We got better in life, too.”
Next steps
Jacob Roeth will take all he’s learned from his dad, other coaches, teachers, other family members, teammates and friends and continue his academic and basketball careers at Wittenberg.
Jacob Roeth will play basketball next at Wittenberg University in the fall of 2024.
And he won’t face the added pressures of being the coach’s son. Justin Roeth will still coach at Miami East and on non-game nights go to Wittenberg games. He will sit in the stands and watch and cheer for his son.
No added pressures. That will feel good.
“To be a coach’s kid is extremely difficult,” Justin Roeth said. “It never leaves them.”
But now it will. And Jacob will be able to put the problem-solving lessons he learned as a high school basketball player to work for him as a college student where problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are rewarded.
And Jacob Roeth will still have basketball. The experience will be different. He will learn more about the game and consider strongly whether to follow through on his thoughts about being a coach.
The negatives haven’t turned him off to coaching. The positives of living the game each day, of being a role model like his dad, of wanting to persevere through the tough times are things Jacob Roeth doesn’t fear.
But for now, for the next four years, Roeth gets to be just another basketball player. And that’s going to feel good.
“He’s had to battle a lot of things in life, and basketball is his comfort,” Justin Roeth said. “It is where he finds comfort. And I’m glad that he has that.”
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