Student Athletes at the Mount

Since August, Kevin Robinson Jr., the new coordinator of athletic academic support services, has been spending much of his time talking to Mount student athletes about classes, grades and “branding.” No, he hasn’t developed a wacky interest in cattle ranching; he’s talking to student athletes about the importance of perceptions and reputations.

“How,” he asks, “do you want to be known – to be branded? What do you want your fellow students to think about you? What do you want the newspapers to say about you after a big win? You are in control of this.” Robinson, or K-Rob, as he’s known around campus, says that student athletes are leaders and role models. They need to learn that the choices they make off the field are just as important as those made during a big game. “The choices student athletes make in their day-to-day lives,” Robinson says, “impact everything –their grades, their conditioning, their performance in their sport.”   

“How will you write your story? What decisions will you make today?” he asks, emphasizing the fact that each student athlete writes his or her own life story.

Robinson knows this lesson from his own experience. He was a student athlete in college and had to learn the very lessons that he now offers. “It can be really tough,” he says, “to balance your athletic responsibilities with your school work. For many student athletes the day starts at dawn with strength training and conditioning, then it’s classes, and practice in the afternoons.” The schedules can be overwhelming. “I think the student athletes like the fact that I’ve been there. I know what it’s like.”

Whatever the reason, it’s working. Mount student athletes are listening to Robinson and his lessons in a big way. How big? You cannot fail to see the pride on his face as Robinson talks. “Every Mount student athlete is academically eligible to play –every one of them.” It’s a fact. This year every basketball player, baseball player, soccer player, swimmer, golfer, lacrosse player – every athlete – is academically eligible to participate in his or her athletic program.

Mount athletes have a history of academic success that includes 25 GTE Academic All-Americans, 5 NCAA Postgraduate Fellowships for graduate study, and numerous alumni who have gone on to become doctors, CEOs and leaders in other fields.

Hats off to Kevin Robinson Jr., too, for his success!