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Student doubles as sports announcer

Photo courtesy of Justin Roberts

Justin Roberts is a professional wrestling announcer and a media arts senior. In February, his self-made wrestling organization, Mountain Strength Professional Wrestling, will bring fun, furious mayhem to Tucson.

By Sanders Fabares
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday Jan. 25, 2002

In all of its Irish-whipping, pile-driving, drop-kicking excitement, professional wrestling is coming to Tucson in the form of the Mountain Strength Professional Wrestling organization.

Enter the inspiring and ambitious world of the MSPW creator and media arts senior Justin Roberts. As writer, promoter, owner and announcer for the new MSPW group, he has his hands full.

The massive workload doesn't seem to bother the 22-year-old announcer, though.

"It's a ton of work, but I don't mind," Roberts said. "I enjoy it."

At 16, when most people learn how to drive a car and manage a bank account, Roberts began a career announcing for professional wrestling matches.

At 20, after displaying a natural talent and love for the work, he was hired by the FX channel's boxing show, "Toughman Contest."

"I love (being an announcer)," Roberts said. "I just love making the crowd happy and making people happy."

Since his initial success in announcing, Roberts has traveled from coast to coast, working with such famous wrestling personalities as "The Rock", "Sergeant Slaughter", "Road Dog" Jesse James, Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jimmy Hart.

"Throughout the years, I've met some great contacts around the country and made a lot of friends," Roberts said.

Amazingly, Roberts has also found time to start his own pro-wrestling group. The MSPW has a wide variety of wrestlers from California, Canada, Utah and Arizona who have a genuine love for the work.

"These are some of the hardest-working guys in the business that have yet to receive contracts," Roberts said. "Being a professional wrestler is really hard work."

Despite continuing his announcing career, completing various internships, and starting the MSPW, Roberts said he has always valued his education above all else. While juggling his many duties and traveling extensively, he has somehow managed to keep close to a 4.0 grade point average.

Lydia Robertson, Roberts' boss at "Toughman Contest," says she sees nothing but great things in his future.

"He has the ability as an announcer to connect with the crowd," she said. "He has fun with them, and they have fun with him."

As the youngest announcer ever employed by "Toughman Contest," Roberts has continually impressed Robertson with his skills.

"I have never seen a young person with such a sense of responsibility and dependability," she said.

Like any senior, Roberts said he is excited yet nervous about life after college. After graduating in May, he hopes to find a full-time job in professional wrestling announcing.

Roberts is excited and optimistic about the upcoming MSPW events. As a hard-core wrestling fan, he said he knows how to please the crowd.

"It's up-close, fan-friendly, in-your-face action, " he said.

The first MSPW event will be at Skate Country Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 or $8 with student ID.

Roberts is confident that anyone even remotely interested in wrestling will love the MSPW show. He said it's everything that you see on television, only on a more up-close and personal scale.

"It's cheaper than going to a movie and a lot more fun," he said.

For further information, visit the MSPW link at www.justinroberts.net.

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