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Win Robinson '08 playing in Queensland

As a student, Winslow Robinson '08 was a dedicated leader and a two-year captain of the men's soccer team. His work with the Student Athletic-Advisory Board (SAAC) brought credibility and change to the Camel program. And in the classroom, Robinson scored high marks as a Dean's List student.

And no one will ever forget his heroic game-winning header in overtime of his final home game, putting his team in the 2007 NESCAC Championship Tournament.

Two years later and thousands of miles away, Robinson is fulfilling another dream by playing semi-professional soccer. He is competing in the Queensland State League (QSL) on the Logan United Football Club in Australia. The Stratham, N.H., native recently scored his first goal for the senior team in his debut, and netted two goals for the U21 squad to give them their first win of the season.

Before Robinson leaves the league in August to start graduate school at Columbia University, Will Tomasian, the sports information director at Connecticut College, caught up with him over e-mail:

Q: Win, this sounds like a terrific opportunity for you to compete in a foreign country. How were you able to land a spot in this semi-professional league?

WR: I always find myself paying homage to my alma mater for the Connecticut College network of support and guidance, and this case is no exception. When I was visiting Connecticut College during Fall Weekend, I spoke with renowned athletic director Fran Shields about any possible contacts he might have in Australia. He put me in touch with a lacrosse contact, who directed me to the Football Queensland web site. Through this site, I sent out several e-mails to clubs, explaining my interest in playing, and heard back from many of them. I decided to follow an offer from Logan United and haven't looked back since.

Q: You mentioned in your blog that you scored your first goal for the senior team on your debut. I have to ask you, which was the bigger thrill: scoring the walk-off goal on the Green in overtime of your final home game that put you in the 2007 NESCAC playoffs or netting your first goal down under?

WR: There isn't anything that can compare to that moment on the Green; it concurrently captured the culmination of four years of college soccer and a lifetime of sporting achievement and is a memory I revisit frequently. Still, scoring a goal at this level with my mother and sister in the crowd was also hugely exciting for me, as this is the highest level I have ever competed at. It's a tough call, but for a senior winning a playoff qualifier in his last home game, there isn't a better way to go out.

Q: Win, the Connecticut College experience as a student-athlete is a special one. You mentioned many of your friends in the blog: Kyle Neidhardt '08, David Driscoll '08, David Kellogg '09, Eric Suffoletto '06 and Jon Knights '05. Can you comment about the relationships that were created with the soccer team and competing as a leader in the athletic program? Have any of these guys had the chance to visit you?

WR: Unquestionably, the sense of family created within a team is one of the best perks of any collegiate program, and was something that defined my experience at Connecticut College. It was amazing to have such good friendships emerge and endure, and I still keep in touch with most of the lads. In terms of visitation, it's a bit a of a haul getting over here, but David Kellogg '09 and Matt Hula '09 will be arriving here to play for Queensland in late August when I leave to start graduate school in New York City this fall.

-Will Tomasian



July 28, 2009