In this episode, Shawn sits down with Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Acklin shares his journey from growing up in South Oakland to leading one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and trust on and off the ice. He also discusses the Penguins’ efforts …

Let’s talk OASIS! We're excited to announce the return of OASIS in 2025, happening June 22-24. In this episode, we'll share key insights and lessons we learned from this year's event, as we gear up for round two!By Orange Arrow Players Association

We're back! In this special episode, Shawn sits down with Dillon Javid, a high school senior, student-athlete, and OA alum. As the editor-in-chief of his school newspaper and a dedicated rower, Dillon has been making waves both on and off the water. He reflects on his journey with Orange Arrow, from the Summer Academy to unforgettable moments like …

Thanks for sticking with us through another 15 episodes! We're taking our usual pause, but we'll be back soon. Take Aim!Sign up to stay connected through our newsletter: bit.ly/3qSbqsxFollow us on social media: @OrangeArrowPABy Orange Arrow Players Association

Tune in as Shawn talks to Ryan Jacoby, a graduate student and offensive lineman at Pitt! An Ohio native, Jacoby grew up as a football fan, but didn’t start playing until middle school. Tune in to hear his mixed feelings about Lebron James and how OA has positively impacted both him and the young student-athletes he coached this summer.…

Join Shawn and this week’s guest, Keye Thompson, a graduate student and linebacker at Pitt! After a recent transfer from Ohio University, Thompson delves into how he became involved with Orange Arrow and shares some of his favorite memories. They also discuss the impact of relationships, both among family and professionally.…

It's OASIS week! Get a final behind-the-scenes look at the planning of the event, and be sure to join us on Pitt's campus on Tuesday! Learn more and get your All Access Pass: Orangearrow.org/oasisBy Orange Arrow Players Association

Today, we're talking OASIS: Orange Arrow Symposium in Sports. Tune in for a preview of what is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. But don't just take it from us — hear more from one of our advisors and a leader in this space, Ron Idoko, from Pitt's Center on Race and Social Problems.Learn more and reserve your pass: OrangeArrow.org/OASIS…

As we gear up for our third summer of programming with the DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, listen to Monica and Des talk about their experience leading previous sessions in McKeesport, PA! Get a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into OA programs as they share what the prep looks like, how they prioritize their time, and some of…

Listen in as Shawn recaps a previous speaking engagement at Tuskegee University, part of their career readiness program, College Transition: Student-Athlete Edition. Shawn and other OA team members speak with current student-athletes about the importance of utilizing your time because the time to plan for your future is today.…

Tune in as Shawn highlights the dynamic speakers featured at OASIS, from university presidents to renowned authors. They come from diverse backgrounds but all share a common goal: helping others. Join us at OASIS, July 9-11 at the University of Pittsburgh, and be part of this inspiring event! Learn more: Orangearrow.org/oasis…

RJ Thompson is the driving force behind Orange Arrow’s “cool factor.” By day, he serves as the Manager of Digital Strategy in the Health Sciences at Pitt and teaches at Pitt, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Point Park University, and West Virginia University.A longtime supporter, RJ is the creative mind behind the evolution of the…

Shawn sits down with a familiar voice for our Pittsburgh listeners, Andrew Stockey! The two discuss how Stockey got his start in television and how he ended up in Pittsburgh, getting to know the city and watching it grow and change while still maintaining its hometown feel. He also gives advice for anyone who is interested in television, and the tw…

Today, we're talking OASIS: Orange Arrow Symposium in Sports. Tune in for a preview of what is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. But don't just take it from us — hear more from one of our advisors and a leader in this space, Ron Idoko, from Pitt's Center on Race and Social Problems.Learn more and reserve your pass: OrangeArrow.org/OASIS…

Amy Raslevich, PhD MPP MBA has spent 30 years in public policy and healthcare management and advocacy. Tune in to hear how a cancer diagnosis in 2017 ignited her passion for healthcare accessibility and listen to some of the stories from her time researching racial differences in how people use healthcare.As always, stick around to the end to hear …

Join us as Shawn sits down with Scott McCurley, the linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys! A former college football athlete at Pitt, McCurley discusses how he found his love for coaching and stayed after graduation to work as a graduate assistant coach under Coach Walt Harris. Now living in Texas and working for the Cowboys, McCurley explains t…

Join Shawn as he sits down with Robb-Davon Butler, a former Pitt, Robert Morris, & NFL athlete and Regional Vice President at Mohawk Industries. Listen as Butler discusses his early start in football and how working two jobs in high school instilled in him the importance of being hard-working and disciplined.They finish by discussing the power of r…

Matthew Goncalves is a former Pitt football athlete and OA intern at Orange Arrow. Tune in to hear about his experiences at Pitt and how he balanced his sport and extracurriculars.As always, stick around to the end to hear his advice for young student-athletes and why he supports the work of Orange Arrow.…

Join Shawn for a full circle moment with Barry Frierson, our first grade school participant turned OA coach. Tune in as he recounts his journey from being a young student-athlete to now coaching at his elementary alma mater in Pittsburgh. He also delves into his entrepreneurial pursuits and his commitment to mentoring, ensuring every OA participant…

Doug Whaley is the Senior Vice President of Player Personnel of the XFL. In this role, he oversees all aspects of personnel from scouting and recruiting to compensation and career development. Tune in to hear a little bit of his early beginnings in sports and the career path that ultimately led him to his position with the XFL.…

“It is going to take a multi-faceted approach to solve the huge issues of racial disparities and injustice.”Join Shawn as he introduces OASIS — Orange Arrow’s groundbreaking event that will bring people together to transform the sports community.By Orange Arrow Players Association

Join us as we revisit Shawn's conversation with Paul Zeise, a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist, evening host at 93.7 The Fan, and commentator on Nightly Sports Call at CW-15. The two discuss how Zeise’s early interest in sports and writing led to a degree in journalism from Temple and his first writing job with the NBA in Manhattan. He also discus…

Julian Dickenson is a Vice President at Pacific Lake Partners. Tune in as he discusses how his early years were shaped by his mother’s desire for him to see the world outside of his city and a back injury at age 15 that shifted his focus to academics before sports.After studying actuarial mathematics and playing soccer at Pitt, he ventured into the…

Mike Bosnic is a special education teacher, head football coach, and athletic director for the Washington School District. A self-proclaimed “Western PA guy,” he discusses how his love for the region led him to stay local for college, attending and playing football at Pitt. Tune in to hear more about how he realized he wanted to have an impact on s…

Go inside OA12! In this episode, Coach Shawn offers a unique look inside an OA12 session about goal-setting. Tune in to learn more about the coaches and our competition-based learning style, and meet some of previous OA participants.By Orange Arrow Players Association

Tune in as Shawn sits down with Adam Walker, a former Pitt & NFL athlete, CEO of Summit Packaging Solutions, and Pitt Board of Trustees member. Listen as Walker discusses his pride for his hometown of Homestead, PA and explains his early start in both sports and music.They continue by outlining his decision to go to Pitt, followed by a seven-year c…

Go Inside the Play Call with Shawn and Dr. Kenny Donaldson, the Associate Athletic Director, Sports & Administration and Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at UCLA! Join them as they discuss Donaldson’s Los Angeles roots and how he found his niche in supporting student-athletes.He also discusses his transition from UCLA to Pitt, where he wo…

Alix Sweigert is a former OA intern and program manager and current student at Arizona State University where she is set to graduate with her master's in counseling this summer. A native of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Alix discusses her love for sports, especially hockey, and how she always knew that she wanted to be involved in the sports world.Tune in to…

Our first ever repeat guest, Rafael Araujo-Lopes, is a former Pitt student-athlete and OA intern, coach, and program manager. Now a sales representative at Stryker, a medical technology company, he discusses what he’s been up to since we last heard from him on the podcast and explains why so many of his fellow Pitt grads go on to also work at Stryk…

Nathan Bossory grew up on an apple orchard outside of Ann Arbor, MI. Now working in finance, Bossory, a former Pitt student-athlete and OA coach, discusses his upbringing, including how sports became a bridge to learning and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.Tune in to hear more about his entrepreneurial mindset and how he developed t…

Todd Hill is a student-athlete, Duquesne graduate, and former OA intern. A native of Homestead, PA, Todd discusses how he got his start playing football - a sport that took him a while to warm up to - eventually leading him to be part of the first generation in his family to graduate from college.Now a graduate student-athlete at Slippery Rock Univ…

Dr. Chukwudi Onyeukwu is a second-year resident in the University of Pittsburgh Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Chu discusses his upbringing, which included living in three countries, his soccer career, and why he made the decision to attend Pitt for undergrad, medical school, and residency.Tune in to hear his advice…

Breonna Greene is a former OA intern and current sophomore at Penn State where she serves as the PR Chair for the Black Caucus and is on the e-board of the Multicultural Resource Center. A native of Penn Hills, PA, Breonna discusses her upbringing and sports background and why her taste in music and TV make her an old soul.Tune in to hear how she g…

Join Shawn in this milestone episode as he reflects on time, life, and the loss of two OA supporters, Corliss Watkins and Franco Harris. Discover the inspiring stories of passion and resilience that have shaped the journey of Orange Arrow.By Orange Arrow Players Association

Thanks for sticking with us through 99 episodes! We're taking our usual summer pause, but we'll be back soon for episode 100. Take Aim!$10 for 10 Years: bit.ly/3BUEBkSSign up to stay connected through our newsletter: bit.ly/3qSbqsxFollow us on social media: @OrangeArrowPABy Orange Arrow Players Association

Spend the summer with OA! We're ramping up for a huge summer of DEI work, another camp with DICK'S Sporting Goods, the OA Performance Invitational, Training Table for women and girls in sports, and more! Stick around as Shawn sneaks some of his signature dad jokes into this week's episode.By Orange Arrow Players Association

Tune in with your host, Shawn Robinson, and special guest, Dr. Lailah Issac. Dr. Issac is a Pittsburgh native currently working as a team physician and medical school professor at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida. The two delve into Dr. Issac's background as a student-athlete and her experience transitioning from a high school soccer s…

Go Inside the Play Call with Shawn and Terry Murphy, a former Pitt football player and current police officer in Culver City, California. They begin by discussing Murphy’s athletic background and how he used sports to position himself to be able to buckle down academically and obtain his degree. They also delve into our current social climate and M…

We're doubling down on the good! Shawn shares about the consulting arm of OA to bring a little more insight to our approach.$10 for 10 Years: bit.ly/3BUEBkSSign up to stay connected through our newsletter: bit.ly/3qSbqsxFollow us on social media: @OrangeArrowPABy Orange Arrow Players Association

Tune in as Shawn talks with Marcus Bowman, Deputy Athletic Director and CFO of Business Strategy at the University of Oklahoma. A former student-athlete, Bowman explains how he grew up in a competitive and sports-oriented family, but also one that instilled the value of working hard in school. This upbringing led to a full academic scholarship to P…

"We did it, ya'll, we did it."TEN for Orange Arrow was a great success! Tune in as Shawn reflects on our 10-year celebration event and everyone who made it possible.$10 for 10 Years: bit.ly/3BUEBkSSign up to stay connected through our newsletter: bit.ly/3qSbqsxFollow us on social media: @OrangeArrowPA…

Join Shawn and this week’s guest, Aimee Watters, the Executive Director of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation! Watters discusses her early beginning in sports, working her way up to playing soccer at Pitt while pursuing a degree in marketing and, later, an MBA. They also discuss her first job with Heinz and her eventual transition to DICK’S Sport…

Join Shawn and a diverse group of Orange Arrow stakeholders as they Huddle Up for a conversation about the importance of fostering healthier relationships among different races and ethnic groups. They also discuss how Orange Arrow has been intentional in creating a program experience that allows for authentic cross-cultural relationships to form an…

Listen for an insight into the planning and the happenings of TEN for Orange Arrow!This celebration marks the 10-year anniversary of serving student-athletes in the areas of development, cross-cultural relationship building, and preparation for the game of life.$10 for 10 Years: bit.ly/3BUEBkSSign up to stay connected through our newsletter: bit.ly…

Matthew Goncalves is a redshirt senior football student-athlete at the University of Pittsburgh. Matthew is currently interning at Orange Arrow and he is majoring in Administration of Justice. Tune in to hear about his experiences at Pitt and how he balances his sport and extracurriculars.As always, stick around to the end to hear his advice for yo…

Go Inside the Play Call with Shawn and one of the longest tenured members of the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department, E.J. Borghetti! A Pitt man through and through, Borghetti has been at Pitt for nearly 25 years and now serves as the Executive Associate Athletic Director, Media Relations. Tune in as he discusses his own start in sports an…

Tune in as Shawn sits down with Carmen Bruce, a VP, Diversity Specialist at PNC Bank, and former Pittsburgh basketball standout. The two recap her basketball career, including her difficult decision to transfer after her sophomore year following a coaching change coupled with the want to be closer to her family. A former coach, Bruce explains how s…

Jared Wayne is a former Pitt football player who recently declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Tune in to hear about his time as a wide receiver at Pitt, as he recalls some of his fondest memories from his time on the field and as an OA intern.As always, stick around to the end to hear his advice for young student-athletes and why he supports the work …

Alexander Dexter - aka Dexter - is a professional soccer player who has played for Loudoun United and Charleston Battery. Tune in to hear more about his childhood as a military kid who lived everywhere from a goat farm in Georgia to Germany, and how he came to attend Pitt, where he was a standout soccer student-athlete and OA volunteer.As always, s…