On a picture perfect Sunday morning surely ordered by the man they were honoring, Palmerton Area School District and the Palmerton Booster Club presented a plaque in memory of Eugene "Geno" Roberts to his family.

Roberts, who passed away last November, is remembered as a pillar of the Palmerton community and a hero to the many 130-pound booster club football players he coached over the years.Before the booster club kicked off its 2017 season Sunday against Bangor, Roberts' legacy was cemented during a midfield ceremony at the Seventh Street field."Geno is one of those people that when you think about him, you can't help but smile," said Tammy Recker, who along with Josann Harry, represented the Palmerton Area School District's board of directors."You couldn't help but try your best whenever he was around. Honoring him today is one of those cool things we get to do that we take a lot of pride in. He is here with all of us today."Recker encouraged all of the booster club cheerleaders and players to do their best in honor of Geno because that is undoubtedly what he would expect of them.The plaque, presented to Roberts' family, read "In memory of Geno Roberts. Thank you for the countless hours of commitment, dedication and volunteerism to our Palmerton athletic programs."In his years with the booster club program, Roberts left nuggets of football and life advice that will never be forgotten by those on the receiving end."We got to reach out got to Geno on our coaching staff almost nightly and as he rode away, the rest of the coaching staff chewed on everything he told us that night and tried to turn it back into what we could give back to the kids," said Jason Russell, who coached the 130-pound team with Roberts. "He was offering and giving a lot more advice than we were able to give back to the kids. He was an incredible human being and we miss him dearly."You don't have to look far around the Seventh Street field to notice Roberts' off-field impact. He and his brother Darryl built the press box/concession stand when the facility needed it most."They didn't do it for money or recognition, they did it for all of us here today," Recker said. "It was something we needed, something we could use and something that speaks about his pride and spirit."An emotional Cindy Roberts accepted the plaque honoring her husband while surrounded by family members and supporters."A big thank you to everyone involved in the ceremony," Geno's son Ryan said. "It brings back a lot of memories and I know dad is cheering on every play."Palmerton Superintendent Scot Engler could not attend the event due to a family commitment, but Harry read remarks he prepared about Roberts."Geno will always be remembered for the countless lives he has touched with his passion for sports," Engler said. "His constant efforts not only provided leadership and guidance, but also enhanced the rich sporting traditions here at Palmerton. I am thrilled to know the plaque will stand to memorize him and his contributions in promoting the development of both our youth and all of our athletic programs."