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Student of the Month, May 2003 Shane Roberts |
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by
Les Honig The fierce intensity
that accompanies his ring work as Ma’koa the Hawaiian Warrior is, as
with many other mat talents, an outgrowth of this Ultimate University
training phenom’s real-life experiences. And for many UPW fans who
have delighted recently with the ring-work of Shane Roberts at major
show venues, it is hard to believe that this physically awesome
competitor has only been actively attending UU for less than a year. One of the many
success stories you’ll find coming out of the Raw Center lately,
Roberts grew up as a volatile Island-born California teen, trying to
ward off neighborhood bullies who picked on him because of his then
large “lanky and skinny” frame; joining a gym in his pre-teen
years and blossoming out to a much bigger kid to the point that he was
immediately recruited for his high school football and volleyball
teams when entering as a freshman. “I guess you’d
say I was very aggressive then. It was kind of a stress reliever for
all my pent-up anger. And lifting was an outlet for my anger too. If
it wasn’t for the weights, I probably would have gone crazy.” Becoming a
successful gridiron bull who intimidated his opposing teams’
players, Shane also was introduced to a whole variety of martial arts
and after mastering them; moved on several years later to a promising
bodybuilding career as well. After
working as a commercial model, bouncer and driver/bodyguard for exotic
dancers both here and abroad, Shane decided on a more secure future so
he enrolled in an accelerated tech training school; landing a job as a
network administrator for several large companies including the Boeing
Corporation. “I worked
with military contracts ensuring that all the encrypted data wasn’t
being tapped into,” he reveals. Still, despite a
promising future in this area, Roberts grew restless; feeling his 15
hour days behind a desk were too confining. A life-long wrestling fan
he began to think of a major job switch; pursuing instead a dream he
had held for so many years. “I
don’t know if it’s the Polynesian in me, but I am a born performer
and I loved the combination of athleticism and fitness and acting that
sports entertainment encompasses.” Having rededicated
himself earlier to returning to the supreme physical condition he had
once been in, the reinspired Hawaiian returned to the gym and it was
here that he encountered a man who was to become a major influence in
causing his life change; former UPW Big Time tag wrestler and
championship powerlifter, Hank Hill. “A bell had
already gone off in my head that wrestling was the path I should
follow but Hank was the guy who pushed me over the edge. At the time
he had been part of UPW and was trying to get a WWF development
contract.” At first planning to
go to Northern California’s APW, his mind was changed when Hank
suggested UPW and after he visited the training facility once or twice
his mind was definitely made up. Now in his eighth
month of training, his natural agility (unusual for a large guy); his
natural grasp of theatrics and his chiseled physical package
immediately made him a sure bet for a future stand-out and thus far he
has not disappointed his coaching team. “I look at the
field as a continuing learning experience,” Shane explains now,
“but I am really gratified at how much I have already mastered.
Ultimate U has not only met but surpassed my expectations and I
truly feel that it is the ideal place for anyone to learn this
craft.” He loves the lack of ego displayed by his classmates and the
teaching staff; the wide variety of approaches he has been exposed to
and most of all, the family atmosphere that is engendered here.
“There is of course a dark side to this business but you won’t see
that here. Everything is positive and upbeat and everyone treats you,
no matter your age, condition, ethnic background or sex with respect
and caring. I would never go anywhere else.” Already having developed his preliminary ring persona as Ma’Koa the Hawaiian Warrior, Shane Roberts surely possesses all the component elements to excel extraordinarily in our sport and based on his dedication and innate abilities so far, one can only see a star-studded future ahead for our latest featured Student of the Month. |
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Previous Ultimate University Students of the Month: February 2003 - Nate Nickerson |
