BLACK HISTORY MONTH: CORTEZ ROBINSON

In honor of Black History Month, Falcon Athletics is celebrating those who paved the way. Throughout February, UWRFSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the UW-River Falls, provide advice to current Falcons and share what Black History Month means to them personally.

Class of 2002 - Cortez Robinson
Sport: Basketball Manager
Years: 1998-2002
Grad Year:  December 2002
Hometown: Edina, MN
Major:  Health and Human Performance      
Occupation: Equipment Manager, IMG Academy
 
What do you miss most about UW-River Falls?
I miss the friendships that were established through sports, African American Alliance, Dance Theater and school.
 
What occupies your time now?
I am currently the Equipment Manager at IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida and oversee all the sports there.
 
How did your time as a student-athlete prepare you for life after college and athletics? 
Getting involved in things associated with my major early on and working with the Kansas City Chiefs [during my time at River Falls] helped me develop into the person I am today.  [Because of these experiences], I had the opportunity to work in the NFL for eleven years with the Chiefs and the New York Jets and UCLA for two years before moving to IMG Academy in 2013.
 
What's one piece of advice you would share with current student-athletes?
Don't take things for granted, hard work pays off even when you think no one is watching, it will.
 
What is your favorite memory from your time at UW-River Falls?  
I would have to say performing on stage while in Dance Theater and being part of the [men's] basketball team.
 
What are you grateful for?  
I am grateful for all the professors and coaches who challenged me and set me up for life.  They also showed me life lessons outside of school that I will cherish. 
 
What does Black History Month mean to you? 
For me, Black History Month means the people who paved the way for us, who died for our cause, who fought for us to have equal rights as Americans. 

Check out Black History Month Central for more alumni features.