NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Brittany Robinson has been officially been named the head softball coach at the State University of New York at New Paltz following a nationwide search, as announced Thursday by director of athletics Stuart Robinson.
 
"Brittany came to New Paltz in a very tough situation, arriving a week and a half before the start of practice in the spring," Stuart Robinson said. "She came in and pulled together the student-athletes in a way that exceeded expectations given the multiple changes in leadership of the program within the last two years. Among a talented applicant pool, Brittany stood out because of her commitment to excellence and a standard when she arrived. She understands the importance of a positive student-athlete experience, but she also understands the benefits of having a competitive and successful softball program. It was that balance that gave her the edge over the other applicants."
 
During Robinson's first year at the helm, the team went 10-24 overall but achieved a 7-11 mark in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play to qualify for the SUNYAC Tournament. She had three student-athletes earn All-SUNYAC honors following the 2014 season.
 
Prior to New Paltz, Robinson served as an assistant coach with the Wil Devils Softball Club, which is a member of the Semi-Pro National Softball League in Switzerland. She also served as the head softball coach at Northern Vance High School in Henderson, N.C., from 2011-13.
 
Robinson spent her undergraduate career competing for NCAA Division I University of North Carolina, playing both second base and third base across four seasons for the Tar Heels. During her tenure in Chapel Hill, North Carolina went 173-66-1, qualified for the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament three times (2008-10) and captured the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season title in 2008. A three-year starter who competed in 179 contests, Robinson hit for power, boasting 19 doubles and 14 home runs.
 
A born leader who excelled both on and off the field in college, Robinson was a Rising Stars graduate while at North Carolina, serving as a key member of the department's leadership academy. Academically, she was a member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2009 and 2010, and earned All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2010. Following her junior season, she received National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athlete recognition.
 
A five-sport athlete at Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, N.C., Robinson found her niche in softball, earning All-State and All-Conference recognition in each of her four years there.
 
Robinson earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication, exercise and sport science from North Carolina in 2011. She received her post baccalaureate teaching certification from East Carolina University in 2013.
 
"It's an honor to be asked to come back," Robinson said. "I can't wait to improve upon what we did last season. I'm excited to come back and work with the team in the fall and officially become a part of the New Paltz Athletics family."