CEDAR CITY, UTAH—Southern Utah University is one of the only Division 1 programs where the men's and women's basketball head coaches have children on their teams. 

Head Women's Basketball Coach Tracy Mason, her daughter Samantha Johnston, and Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Jeter III with his son, Robert Jeter IV.

Samantha Johnston is a fifth-year graduate student who has been playing for her mom for the last five seasons. 

"It's been really amazing to be a part of. Five years is a long time, and we have been through a lot together. We won a championship and were a part of the first NCAA Tournament in program history. All of it has just been really special." said Mason

Johnston is currently tied for fourth in total games played for the Thunderbirds. With 19 games still left on the schedule, she will look to become the all-time leader in total games played for Southern Utah. 

She is also the all-time leader in three-pointers made, with 221 currently. In her career, she has averaged seven points per game, 2.1 assists per game, and over two three-pointers made per game. Despite being just 6'0 tall, she is 10th all-time in SUU history with 65 blocks and counting.

"Since she was three years old, she has always loved basketball. She would always want to come with me to practice; she would come on recruiting trips and track stats and things like that. She has just always loved the game, which made it a little bit easier for us. Ultimately, we both just want to be successful here." Said Coach Mason.

Rob Jeter IV, or 'Lil Rob,' as most call him, always knew he wanted to play basketball for his dad. Despite earning varsity letters in both football and basketball in high school, when it came time for college, the decision was easy. 

Lil Rob graduated high school in 2020, which coincided with Rob Jeter's getting the head coaching job at Western Illinois. Lil Rob was then given a chance to finally play for his dad. 

"Until we were at Western (Illinois)  together, I never really got to coach him in a team setting. There was one three-on-three tournament I coached him in, and I think that was pretty eye-opening for him to see the type of coach and competitor I am." Said Coach Jeter. 

Lil Rob played at Western Illinois for three seasons, appearing in 24 games for the Leathernecks. 

Coach Jeter and Rob Jr. then moved to Cedar City, where Jeter was hired as the Head coach at Southern Utah University. In 2023-24, Lil Rob played in 22 games for SUU and had a career game against Stephen F Austin, in which he scored seven points, dished two assists, and had a steal.

"His Grandfather, Rob Jeter Jr, played for the Green Bay Packers and is in their Hall Of Fame. I had a successful college career and am now a head coach, so Lil Rob has had a lot of pressure on him for the majority of his life, and to see the way he has grown and matured is really special. And I am incredibly proud of him." Said Coach Jeter.

Many Universities claim that they are a family, but at Southern Utah University, we really mean it. 

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