Patrick Rankin
Lynn Robinson announced on Mar. 6 that she will retire after the Mount`s Debut Season in the MAAC. When asked about her greatest accomplishment during her time as athletic director, she responded by saying, “I have so many wonderful memories, so it is difficult to identify one accomplishment. It has been a joy to work with so many friends and colleagues throughout the years. Some of my most treasured memories are the relationships I have had with our extraordinary student-athletes. It has been a privilege to have been a part of their collegiate experience. They will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Beanie Colson, a former student-athlete and recent employee for Mount Athletics, commented on Lynne`s leadership. “Lynn has been a phenomenal leader to the Athletic Department here at Mount St. Mary’s,” said Colson. “She leads with such class and poise and is a fantastic role model to others. Lynne has led by example and modeled servant leadership during her time here. It is evident that she truly cares for each employee, player, and relationship built through the athletic department. She is extremely intentional and present in her interactions with others and makes everyone feel at home here at Mount.”
Robinson and her family have impacted the Mount since 1963. Her father was Jim Phelan, the greatest Mount Basketball Coach of all time with 830 wins and a national championship during his career. He retired in 2003 but was still an impact on the Mount Community until his death in 2021. Today, the court in Knott Arena is named after him. Robinson was a three-sport student-athlete, representing the Mount in basketball, field hockey, and tennis. Robinson is still in the basketball record books, with an average of 12.9 rebounds per game during her sophomore year.
After graduating with a bachelor’s in political science in 1979, she became the women`s cross country and track and field coach for eight years. During those eight years, she earned her MBA in 1983. After nine years of coaching, she became the assistant athletic director, where she overlooked the Mount transitioning to the Division One Level and to the Northeast Conference. In 1997, she became the Compliance Coordinator for the Mount. In 2007, she was selected to become the Mount`s Athletic Director. Throughout her career, she has been on multiple committees, ranging from college campuses to the Northeast Conference to the NCAA. She was also a peer reviewer for the NCAA`s Division One Certification Program.
Robinson saw rapid growth in the athletics department during her time as athletic director. The Mount now boasts more than 600 student-athletes, which is more than one-fourth of the student body here at the Mount. The number of athletic teams had risen to 24, with most recently the addition of men`s and women`s water polo in 2020. Thanks to the rapid growth of the athletic department and a 33-year membership in the Northeast Conference, Robinson and the University guided the athletics program’s transition to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Colson, who played Lacrosse for five years and was part of the 2021 and 2022 Northeast Conference Championship Teams, talked about Robinson’s legacy. She said, “Lynne has left a precious and significant legacy at Mount St. Mary’s. She has truly built up a family atmosphere within the Mount community. Not only as a player but also as a newer employee, I have felt nothing but the utmost support from Lynne. She has been a blessing to the Mount community, and I feel as though I can speak for everyone when I say, we have been so thankful to have her as a leader these past years.”
Her Impact will be sincerely missed on both the academic and athletic sides of the Mount. The Mount will be doing a nationwide search to find the next athletic director. When asked about the best advice for the next athletic director, Robinson responded by saying, “To listen, learn, and embrace being part of the wonderful Mount Community.”
Lynn Robinson will be leaving the Mount having made a tremendous impact on the community.
Photo by: Mount Athletics
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