Robert Morris creates support system for current and former athletes

In an attempt to help student-athletes remain in touch with their university community and, eventually, find and get jobs, Robert Morris’ Department of Athletics announced Tuesday the formation of the Robert Morris Athlete Network.

In partnership with Athlete Network, a means of engagement for student-athletes past and present, the university will launch a branded, customized and lifetime platform that will technologically organize, promote and track programs and services offered to current and former student-athletes from the school’s 16 sports.

Robert Morris vice president and athletic director Chris King called the endeavor “a monumental step in terms of support for our student-athletes.”

“It will connect both alumni and current Colonials with potential employers while serving as a vehicle to increase their engagement with the campus community,” King said in a statement.

The available technology will provide data insights and reports to athletic administrators, as well as enhance the school’s letterwinners club and offer a mentoring program for student-athletes.

Robert Morris is the first Northeast Conference school to partner with Athlete Network.

“Robert Morris values keeping their current and former student-athletes involved and engaged with the program, and they are committed to advancing support for their athletes during the transition to the workforce,” Athlete Network vice president of partnerships Brett Fuller said. “Through our software, their team will not only increase visibility and engagement with available resources, such as career advancement opportunities, but also use data analytics to track utilization, ensuring effective communication and engagement is maintained with their athletes for life.”

Robert Morris, a former men’s basketball junior college powerhouse, has grown to offer 16 intercollegiate athletic programs, including the only men’s and women’s NCAA Division I hockey teams and men’s lacrosse team in the region. The Colonials have won 50 regular-season conference championships and 51 league tournament titles in the past 44 years.

“We are in the business of developing young people to become productive adults,” RMU senior associate athletic director Marty Galosi said, “and there is no more effective way based upon our mission than to assist them in the job search process while keeping them engaged with the Colonials forever.”