Robert Blair was born in Rochester, N.Y. and moved to New York City in 1972. At the age of thirteen, Coach Blair was introduced to basketball and he grew to love the game and its competiveness. As a youth, Coach Blair played every chance he got, until one day, he was asked to coach his first team. At the age of sixteen, Coach Blair coached an all woman's (13-15) team at the Y.M.W.C.A on the Grand Concourse, where his team came in a strong third place. Later in time, Coach Blair was then asked to help coach an eight and under group of young men in the Harlem's Jr. Knicks league at the Y.M.C.A. where his team came in third place.
While Coach Blair taught the young men the game of basketball at the "Y", he did not know he was being watched by the directors of the Gladiators. After the tournament, Coach Blair was asked if he would mind volunteering as a coach for the Gladiators. Since joining Gladiators in 2009, Coach Blair has helped his players understand that even though basketball is a game, there is a right way and a wrong way to play it. Just like in life, there is a right and wrong. Coach Blair has mentored his young men and women in to a group of outstanding scholars and ball players.
