Muscling up

May 15—The UConn men's basketball team is bringing in a former Boilermaker to help its players get stronger. The Huskies announced Friday they had hired Gavin Roberts, who spent the last three years as the head strength and conditioning coach at Purdue, for a similar position in Storrs.

Roberts, 31, will have the title of director of sports performance for men's basketball at UConn. Prior to his time at Purdue, Roberts was assistant director of sports performance at Western Michigan.

"We are excited to add one of the top young sports performance coaches in the country, who is coming to us from an outstanding program," UConn coach Dan Hurley said in a statement. "At Purdue, Gavin gained experience working with NBA-level players in a program with championship aspirations. He understands the standards and the tradition here with his tri-state area ties."

Roberts played football at Purdue, graduating in 2013 with a degree in health and fitness, before later earning a master's degree in technology, leadership and innovation from the school.

Originally from Somerset, New Jersey, Roberts very nearly came to UConn for college, he says.

"Yes, for me, it was between Purdue and UConn as a football player," Roberts said in a statement.

He will get a chance to be part of UConn athletics after all, though on the basketball side.

"The illustrious history, the prestige, the Big East..," he said. "And being able to continue to build on what Coach Hurley has built so far."

Neill covers UConn men's basketball and UConn football teams, and he keeps a finger on the pulse of Connecticut sports. For live game updates, and more insight into UConn athletics, player transfers, and team changes, follow Neill on Twitter: @NeillOstrout, Facebook: JINeillO, and Instagram: @NeillOstrout.