Florida Polytechnic University announced this week that Clay Roberts will serve as the inaugural head coach of its new men’s soccer program, while T.J. Marik has been named the first head coach of the university’s baseball team. The appointments mark the first step in the school’s ambitious plan to field eight varsity sports this fall.
Roberts brings more than two decades of experience as a collegiate and professional player, coach and administrator. He previously led the men’s soccer program at Southeastern University, where he became the program’s all‑time winningest coach, guiding the team to three Sun Conference tournament championships and four NAIA national tournament appearances.
Athletic Director Derek Lower praised Roberts’s professionalism, his ability to forge relationships with recruits and his willingness to support the broader athletics department as Florida Poly builds its inaugural squads.
Culture and chemistry as foundations
Both Roberts and Marik stress that culture and relationships will be the bedrock of their new programs. Roberts said the chance to build a team from the ground up was a decisive factor in his decision to join Florida Poly, while Marik echoed the sentiment as he looks to shape a baseball identity that reflects the university’s unique academic environment.
Marik arrives after successful stints at Siena Heights University and Missouri Valley College, where his teams earned all‑conference honors and set program records. He is already deep into recruiting, with 14 student‑athletes committed and a target roster of 25 to 30 players for the first season.
The baseball program aims to develop one of the nation’s premier collegiate teams, while Roberts hopes the soccer side can contend for conference championships. Their shared vision aligns with the university’s broader goal of securing membership in the NAIA and the Sun Conference.