Make Mansfield Yours Homepage

Make Mansfield Yours is a weekly feature on GoMounties.com that highlights a current Mansfield University student-athlete or alumni on why they chose Mansfield and what makes the university special to them. The feature aligns with NCAA Division II's brand of Make It Yours that allows student-athletes to shape their athletic and academic experience to be exactly what they want it to be.

Mike Robinson
Class of 2014
Business Administration
Track & Field, Cross Country

Why did you choose Mansfield University?
I originally chose Division I but after getting injured and seeing the support from the coaching staff disappear, I sought different options. I remembered how persistent Coach Rohl was during the recruiting process in high school and seeing what he was able to do with student-athletes like Chris Cumming and Josh Wooten I thought that it seemed like a great option moving forward.

What makes Mansfield University special to you?
Mansfield is unique in the student-athletes it pulls in, especially the track and field teams. It gives options to student-athletes who were previously overlooked by other schools and gives them the chance to blossom and reach their full potential. Mansfield provided me with a second chance and a coaching staff and team that was better and more supportive than anything I could have asked for.

How did your experiences at Mansfield University benefit your career/personal life following graduation?
A funny thing I did not notice until I was about to finish my Master's Degree from Mansfield was how I not only transformed as an individual, but how the path I inadvertently followed was shaped by a single individual, Chris Cummings. Whether it has been as an undergraduate or in my professional career, it seemed as though I followed Chris and the path he took, which if you know Mr. Cummings, you know this is not a bad thing. Every record broken was Chris' record previously, we both finished as the NCAA runner-up in the mile. Post-graduation I managed to hold a GA position under Chris that he once held himself. Once I finished my Master's degree, I found myself in a position Advising Student-Athletes, similar to what Chris does at Mansfield currently. Had I not attended Mansfield University and not got to know Chris and follow in his footsteps, both athletically and professionally, I am not sure where I would be today so I am eternally grateful for the experiences I have had at Mansfield.

Favorite memory at Mansfield
My favorite memory is a tossup. It would either have to be finishing as the NCAA Mile runner-up after an incredible season and injury ridden career, or the creation of Blood-Feud Wrestling with my friends at Mansfield. They are both things that I think of whenever I think of Mansfield and I always get a good laugh out of the latter.

Advice you would give to a current Mansfield student-athlete
Take your time and enjoy living in the moment. One day you'll wake up and have to go to work and you will long for the days of going to those grueling practices. Have fun and enjoy the presence of your teammates and the atmosphere of your sport.


If you are a current or former Mansfield University student-athlete and would like to be featured on Make Mansfield Yours, please fill out the submission form