D3 Building Blocks with Drew University’s Sean Robinson: Culture, Recruiting & Raising a XC/TF Program Ep. 392
Update: 2025-09-11
Description
Director of Cross Country & Track & Field Sean Robinson joins Airey Bros Radio to unpack how he’s building Drew University into a Division III contender—after a decorated two-decade run at Morris Hills HS (10 state titles, 21 sectionals, NJSCA Hall of Fame). We cover honest D3 recruiting (why grades = money), the value of liberal arts & internships near NYC, data-driven training with gait analysis, and the mindset shift from “win” to “win or learn.” Robinson also details Drew’s first All-American (Sage Hendershot, 2024), school records, and hosting the Landmark Conference XC meet.You’ll hear about:
Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio: YouTube (@Aireybros)
• Instagram (@aireybrosradio) • Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• Coaching: Black Sheep Endurance
• Buy Me a Coffee (links in show notes)
Show Notes / Chapters
- Building a D3 program from the ground up—staffing, systems, culture
- D3 merit aid vs. athletic $$$ and how academics unlock offers
- Campus/training: “The Forest,” trail access, Madison safety, NYC internships
- Managing athletes in the social-media era: focus > comparison
- Hands-on coaching: gait analysis, injury prevention, Google Classroom workflows
- 2025 outlook: deeper rosters, first meet notes, and hosting Landmark XC
Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio: YouTube (@Aireybros)
• Instagram (@aireybrosradio) • Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• Coaching: Black Sheep Endurance
• Buy Me a Coffee (links in show notes)
Show Notes / Chapters
- 00:55 — Why Airey Bros spotlights D2/D3/NAIA/NJCAA programs
- 02:00 — Robinson’s Drew milestones: first All-American (Sage Hendershot), school records
- 04:40 — Jersey icebreaker: Taylor Ham vs. pork roll
- 05:40 — Origin story: basketball to XC, Kutztown University, teacher-coach roots
- 08:45 — Morris Hills → Drew: choosing the next mountain, vision for the program
- 10:50 — The reality of college coaching: recruiting never stops
- 14:15 — D3 truth: merit aid, academics, and why grades = money
- 18:00 — What Drew is known for: Business, Marketing, Education, History, Theater
- 19:45 — Training environment: trails from campus, Madison safety, NYC access
- 22:05 — Internships that still fit practice (train to Penn Station)
- 22:57 — Program momentum: jumps group growth driven by All-American success
- 24:58 — Staff as “clinicians,” CEO leadership without micromanaging
- 26:20 — Hands-on coaching: gait analysis, injury prevention, Google Classroom
- 33:10 — “Win or learn”: reframing failure & athlete mental health
- 37:50 — Advice to HS recruits: trust your coach, limit comparison, love the process
- 40:57 — Training talk: thresholds, biochemistry-backed decisions
- 45:10 — Why “Drew is the stone,” not a stepping stone
- 45:55 — 2025 notes: NJIT Alumni opener; hosting Landmark XC at Oak Ridge
- 47:04 — Rapid fire: black coffee, mirror pep talks, Foo Fighters, single-digit golf HC
Comments
In Channel
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States00:00
00:00
x
