Coach Profile: Robin Selbst

12/9/2020 10:23:00 AM

By: Norman Yacko

Each Wednesday, TCNJ Athletics will profile a coach from one of its programs. Today, its assistant field hockey and lacrosse coach Robin Selbst. Selbst is a member of the TCNJ Athletics Hall of Fame after a playing career that saw her earn a national championship in three sports. As a coach, Selbst has helped guide the programs to six national championships and 20 final four appearances.

You are now entering your 24^th season coaching at TCNJ and 20^th season as a full-time assistant following a four-year playing career. What is it about TCNJ that keeps you coming back year after year?

I started my coaching career at TCNJ as a volunteer/part-time coach and as a graduate assistant. It just seemed natural to want to continue to give back to the programs that gave me so much. I coached at a Division I school for a couple of years to test the waters. When the full-time position opened up for field hockey and lacrosse, I jumped on it because TSC/TCNJ was and is home for me. I am sure many coaches feel this way about where they work, but the TCNJ department staff and those who support our programs create an atmosphere that is welcoming and a family. When you feel that support, it makes your efforts to push yourself further and to reach new goals feel more attainable. I am challenged every day to improve my value and worth, and also strive to challenge our student-athletes to do the same. It is immensely rewarding to have the opportunity to continue to give back to a program that has helped me grow as a coach and person throughout the years.

You are one of two coaches currently at the College who are also in the Athletics Hall of Fame. Is there any pressure to live up to the playing career that you had?

I do not feel pressure to "live up to my playing career" mainly because I see my playing and coaching career as two separate phases of my life. Now, if you ask me to demonstrate a skill or if I practice with them, then "yes," I feel like I have to "show up." I can't embarrass myself.

What is it about TCNJ that sets itself apart from other colleges and athletic programs?

Our administration, starting from the very top, cares about our students and our student-athletes. Outside of our athletic department, the academic community at TCNJ supports our student-athletes too. The student-athletes are challenged to reach and exceed their potential both in the classroom and on the field. Academics and athletics work hand in hand at TCNJ and to have that support allows for everyone to succeed. Our programs have been fortunate to have the collective support staff to help us reach our goals. It is not a 9 to 5 kind of life. Everyone puts in the extra time and hours to help one another.

What are some of the top memories and moments from your coaching career?

Winning National Championships and seeing our players' smiling faces. When I think back to certain players and how they strived to improve from one year to the next to ultimately become National Champions is beyond rewarding. To know I had a part in helping them reach their dreams is the absolute best. I have flashback moments of coaching a player literally while she has the ball and talking her through maintaining possession when it looks like she might lose it. Knowing I had an impact on a player who struggled early on to then see her grow and mature into a leader has been very gratifying.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your coaching career?

If you were to ask me this question last year, I am not sure if there really was one identifiable challenge, but more small ones that needed our attention. Yet in our current climate, not being able to coach has been the hardest challenge. We found ways to adapt to recruiting through this crisis and have been resourceful when we needed to evaluate and speak with recruits. However, not being on the field to coach our players is definitely the toughest part when trying to get through each day. Missing our daily interaction with them is difficult. Of course, the loss of not playing competitively is there, but to not be able to spend time with our players and help them develop is presently the hardest aspect.

Who are some of the people that have helped you the most in your career?

Certainly Sharon comes to mind right away. She has and continues to challenge me to be a better coach. Her guidance in the office and on and off the field has helped me to grow into a better person. As a player, Sharon taught me about working harder than I thought possible (and loving it) and fighting through adversity. As a coach, she has taught me about taking charge, working through tough challenges, and developing my own style of coaching. Sharon has helped me become a more well-rounded coach who can offer more to the players on and off the field.
I was also fortunate to work with Ann Petracco for a couple of years while at Rutgers University. She was a tremendous mentor as well. We worked side by side and she helped me gain more confidence while still young in my coaching career. I was able to develop my coaching style further by watching and learning from Ann. I am beyond grateful for the time she invested in me.

In addition to the sports you are currently coaching, you were also an All-American softball player during your collegiate career. Did you ever consider coaching softball?

I certainly would have enjoyed coaching softball at the college level. That does not mean I would have given up field hockey or lacrosse. However, the intricacies of the game in which I was taught by Dr. Walker would have been the way I would have wanted to coach. Each position is so detail-oriented. I do not think I would have been able to give my best to each sport if I attempted to somehow assist all three. However, if you ask Coach Miller, she will tell you that she asks me often if I am coming to softball practice too.

Outside of coaching, what would people find interesting about your day-to-day life?

I spent many years in severe back pain due to how physical a player I was during my college and younger days. It took its toll on me over the many years. It really hindered my ability to not only perform skills and drills on the field, but also just to walk with as limited pain as possible. However, I had a procedure done last December that was truly a miracle. It gave me my life back to feel and act like a "normal person." I was finally able to start walking and getting exercise on a daily basis. I am able to walk 4-5 miles a day and not be in any pain. I really enjoy the time I can go for walks around my complex and clear my head, especially under the circumstances we have been in throughout COVID.

Is there anything you would like to say to all of the student-athletes that you have coached?

Thank you. Thank you for your trust in me and my coaching. I have learned over the years that the relationships with our student-athletes directly affects their growth and development, as well as mine. The pride I have for them is immense. Those relationships continue with many of them now that they have finished their playing careers and I can now call them my friends.

Extra Point – Question from last week's coach profile Rocky Hager – What drew you into coaching?

My initial plan entering college was to obtain my teaching degree in Health and Physical Education and coach while teaching. I think coaching, in some way, was always going to be in my future. From a very young age playing in leagues through my town or school, I think sports were always going to have an impact in my life. Wanting to share my experiences and lessons learned with others through sport was a way to give back. I also believe that I have that competitive nature that would not have been fulfilled if I did not continue to pursue coaching.

Pose a question you would like to hear answered by our next coach.

If you could speak with any sports figure, alive or deceased, who would it be and what would be the one question you would want to ask?

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