|
|
Coach Robinson and Divine Intervention
| Coach Rick Robinson and Divine Intervention |
|
High academic standards at a junior college? $18,000 cost of education at a junior college? Only five baseball scholarships at a junior college? This is not a picture of most two year colleges. Junior College baseball is best known for low academic requirements, low tuition costs, and abundant scholarships (24 is the National Junior College Athletic Association limit).
Many different people ask Young Harris College Head Baseball Coach Rick Robinson the same question: 'How have you built such a strong baseball program with the limitations of being at an academically select private college in the North Georgia Mountains ?'
The first part of his answer always gives credit to several other people who over the past seven years of his coaching tenure have made significant contributions to the success of the YHC Baseball progam. But he always follows that answer with a firmly stated, “Only by Divine Intervention were these things possible”.
|
|
|
Coach Robinson’s personal faith stands strong day in and day out. God gifts each person with special talents to be used to glorify him and to further his kingdom (see Ephesians 4). Coach Robinson’s gift is coaching. This gift includes managing the many aspects of coaching a premier college baseball program as well as the exceptional knowledge of how the game should be taught and played.
“Coach Robinson runs one of the finest college baseball programs in North America,” says Dr. Stephen Gunter, Young Harris College President. “He recruits student athletes who meet the competitive academic standards of the college, and he places the student’s academic work at the top of his expectations – from class attendance to consistent classroom performance. He gets the absolute best out of his players because he sets such high personal standards for himself. It is not an accident that Rick Robinson is recognized nationally as one of the best in his profession. Whether it is moving a player to the major leagues, to a Division I School or across the stage at graduation, Coach Robinson sets a BENCHMARK standard that reflects the best of what college athletics ought to be about,” added Dr. Gunter
Major college baseball coaches also have taken notice to YHC’s baseball program. “When a young man goes through Coach Robinson’s program at Young Harris, you can count on three things. He will be prepared to succeed academically, he will be prepared to succeed on the field, and he will represent you in a first class manner both on and off the field,” said Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina Head Baseball Coach.
Coaching baseball is Coach Robinson’s ministry; his opportunity to use his gift to glorify God by leading both players and assistant coaches in a Christian manner and giving them the opportunity to hear the message of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
|
|
|
Daily coaching trials and triumphs make his faith stronger realizing in each situation that God is in control. God has a divine plan for Young Harris College Baseball. He also expects trials and triumphs to bring about growth and Christian maturity in Coach Robinson’s baseball ministry.
Coach Robinson admits to being very blessed. God’s hand is obvious in many areas of his coaching including his coaching staff, the stadium, his players, and the support of YHC’s faculty and staff. The Bible says “...from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded”. (Luke 12:48, New International Version) The Contemporary English Version of Luke 12:48 states “If God has been generous with you, He will expect you to serve him well”.
Jeremy Boles (former YHC player 2000-02 and current assistant coach), Garrett Quinn (former YHC assistant coach and current Stetson University pitching coach), and Alex Gray (former YHC player 1998-99, baseball coach and Director of Athletics for the Bible Baptist School in Savannah, GA) can relate first hand to Coach Robinson’s ministry.
“I think he challenges players to get their priorities in line and pushes them to make right decisions on and off the field. I had an easy time finding trouble here my first year and there came a point where I had to figure out which way to go,” explains Boles when referring to his first year playing for Coach Robinson. “I needed discipline and guidance. Coach Robinson led me through tough times and eventually encouraged me to attend Liberty University to continue to grow in my faith.”
After attending Liberty University and having a very successful career as a student-athlete, Boles has now joined Coach Robinson’s coaching staff at YHC for the 2005 season. “I came back because this is a good place to grow spiritually and learn from him how to lead young men, just as he did for me,” said Boles.
|
|
|
Garrett Quinn was an assistant at YHC for the 2003-2004 season and adds his observation, "Through his own strong and devoted faith, Coach Robinson is able to relate scripture directly to baseball and the subtleties of team play. His teaching and coaching methods are very powerful and they resonate not only with his players, but with his coaches as well. Anyone who is fortunate enough to play or coach in his program will leave Young Harris College a better person and a better Christian."
Alex Gray has left YHC and is now following the footsteps of his mentor. Gray gives credit to Robinson, "I attribute much of my success, on and off the field, to the Christian values Coach Robinson instilled in me through: positive leadership, approach to the game, and emphasis on sportsmanship and self-respect. I have since accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and instill the same values to my teams.”
Coach Robinson draws so much strength from his church and Pastor that he has chosen to make each a part of the Young Harris College Baseball experience.
“By encouraging his players and coaches to worship with him at his home church, McConnell Memorial Baptist Church, he has proclaimed the importance of his faith to his church as well as his team,” said Dr. E. Rudy Patton, Senior Pastor at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church.
“To see so many of those he works with present in our worship serves as an encouragement to all of us. His involvement in Sunday School, Brotherhood, and other ministry opportunities in the midst of his busy schedule as coach of one of the most successful junior college programs in the nation, gives evidence to his commitment to grow in his relationship with Jesus Christ. He, Luann, and their children are a vital part of this church family,” added Pastor Patton.
It is obvious to many that God’s hand has been on this program from the very beginning. Only with God’s help could this program have shined so brightly.
“God has been present for my entire life,” explains Robinson. I haven’t always been faithful to him, I struggle each day to make Him proud, but he has always been there for me. Through his divine power he has blessed me so abundantly. He has given me a wife I should not have, a son who should not have lived, two other awesome children, and a team that should not win.”
Coach Robinson is ready to step up to the plate at any time and give his all for Jesus Christ through Young Harris College Baseball. Divine Intervention is a vital part of Young Harris College Baseball, and it has brought national recognition to an academically select private college in the North Georgia Mountains.
|
|
