Athletics Director Announces Retirement

Richard D. L. Fulton

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s (MSMU) Athletics Director Lynne Robinson (pictured right) will be retiring from that position as of August.

MSMU President Timothy Trainor said, “The entire Mount community is grateful to Lynne Phelan Robinson for her 15 years as director of Mount athletics and 42 years of tremendous service to the university,” further stating, “Her commitment to the success of student-athletes both on the playing fields and in the classroom has touched countless lives.”

President Trainor additionally commented that, following an impressive coaching career, “she entered sports administration to help lead the university’s move to Division-I in the Northeast Conference and is retiring after a successful transition to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.”

“I, as well as our entire community, will deeply miss Lynne and hope that we will continue to see her around campus and in the stands during her well-earned retirement years,” Trainor said.

According to Mount staff, “Robinson and the Mount have been intertwined for decades, as she is the daughter of the Mount’s legendary basketball coach, Jim Phelan,” adding, “Robinson, a lifelong resident of Emmitsburg, grew up in the shadow of the college, and ultimately attended the Mount, playing basketball under the guidance of The Reverend James Delaney and Fred Carter, as well as field hockey and tennis. She graduated magna cum laude in 1979 with a degree in Political Science.”

Throughout her 42-year career, Robinson has served Mount’s athletics program as a coach and an administrator, with the past 15 years as the university’s athletics director. Robinson was named director of athletics in 2007, and her tenure has seen the Mount increase its offering of varsity sports from 16 to 24, and its student-athlete population nearly doubled over a six-year span.

The Mount’s long-term commitment to student-athlete academic success has continued under Robinson’s tenure, as student-athletes have earned numerous academic accolades throughout the years. The Mount’s graduation success rate has attained, or exceeded, 90 percent over the past six years.

MSMU staff stated, “During this time, athletic development revenues of over $15 million have led to major facility upgrades and renovations to athletic venues. Robinson has enjoyed significant success as athletic director, with 23 conference championships and several NCAA tournament appearances.”

Her professional career began upon graduation, serving as coach for women’s cross country and track and field. Numerous conference champions and five All-Americans competed while Robinson was at the helm.

A cornerstone of Robinson’s leadership has been a commitment to student-athlete well-being, as she has championed the expansion of several key areas: sports medicine; strength and conditioning; academic support services; sports nutrition; the team Chaplaincy Program with the Mount Seminary; and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, according to the Mount. MSMU staff also reported that Robinson has served on numerous campus, conference, NACDA and NCAA committees, including having served as a NCAA peer reviewer in the Division-I Certification Program and the Division I Women’s Lacrosse Committee. She has served on the Athletics Advisory Committee since its inception in 1996, and she was actively involved in the Mount’s three successful NCAA certification reviews. In 2022, Robinson worked with President Trainor and the MSMU Board of Trustees to transition as a full member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the 2022-23 season and beyond. This followed a successful 33-year run in the Northeast Conference. Robinson further stated, “I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve Mount St. Mary’s University for my entire career,” adding, “Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the many wonderful memories, experiences, and especially all the friends, alumni, and colleagues I have met along the way.” “To the Mount faculty, administration, staff, and the Mount Community, past and present, it has been a privilege and pleasure to work with all of you.” Robinson said, further noting, “I owe a special ‘thank you’ to President Tim Trainor and his wife Donna for their support and friendship. They have been tremendous advocates for Mount athletics and for the role of intercollegiate athletics at the Mount.