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Robinson adjusts to life after coaching

Julie Skeen, Staff Writer

After thirteen years and eleven winning seasons with Appalachian State University's women's basketball team, Linda Robinson recently resigned as head coach. The change, though a surprise, was not sudden. "I have always had other interests other than just sports, or just basketball," Robinson said.

"When you coach, it's a lifestyle choice. In my opinion I couldn't coach the way I felt like I wanted to and could not participate in the other outside interests that I like," Robinson said. "I really believe it is time for me to have other professional experiences." Robinson lists among her interests cooking, tennis, lifting weights, running and social activities. "You can do that in coaching, but I really put so much of my energy in the (coaching) job," Robinson said.

Robinson said she was pleased with her time as a head coach. "I feel very proud to have been involved in the program for 13 years knowing how we rose out of the cellar and evolved into a model program," Robinson said. Before Robinson came to Appalachian the Mountaineers had managed only two winning seasons. "I walked in here at a very good time," Robinson said. "The program was probably the lowest in the Southern Conference, so anything that I did that was positive, people were probably going to smile about it."

Robinson does not feel that her resignation will affect this year's team. There are six new freshmen on the team and no seniors. Robinson said, "There is no easy time to leave a program. In one regard it was an easy way because we lost so many seniors that have grown up with me, and in another way maybe one of the hardest times to leave because we recruited, in my opinion, six of the brightest kids I have recruited since I've been here. I'm pleased with the way I'm leaving the program."

At her new job in the Equity Office, Robinson will oversee all Title IX work and facilitate the office's outreach program. The office was established in 1996 and investigates issues dealing with discrimination, harassment and other forms of inequitable treatment that occur on campus.

"I feel blessed to have been able to coach and continue to work with young people at Appalachian," Robinson said. "We attract a certain type of person (here) that I enjoy working with." "I feel very fortunate to have been a coach and had that experience," Robinson said. "Now I have the opportunity to go into a whole new career that I also believe in. I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world."

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