Inside The Play Call with Orange Arrow

In this episode of Inside The Play Call with Orange Arrow, host Shawn Robinson shares highlights from OASIS, the Orange Arrow Symposium in Sports.

Revisit the first episode of Inside the Play Call! This episode will take you on a journey of the development of Orange Arrow through the eyes of our founder, Shawn Robinson, starting with a city that draws 10,000 people for each high school football game to understanding why an NFL dream was not realized.

In this episode, host Shawn Robinson reflects on the power of relationships and how many dynamic OASIS speakers joined the lineup through meaningful connections. From shared values to mutual respect, Shawn shares stories that prove the best plays are drawn from genuine relationships. Tune in to hear how the dots connect behind the scenes of Orange Arrow. #TakeAim

Go behind the scenes of OASIS! Host Shawn Robinson gives listeners an inside look at the planning, vision, and conversations shaping the symposium. From the inspiration behind it to the details that make it all come together, this episode reveals what it takes to create a powerful event focused on building inclusive and winning teams at the intersection of sports and education. Tune in for a first...

Shawn sits down with Chris Curd, a Youngstown native, former Pitt student-athlete, and president of the Pittsburgh Flag Football League. They dive into a lively debate of "Off the Wall" vs. "Thriller," discuss the impact of NIL in college sports, and explore the growing presence of girls in flag football. Chris also shares personal insights on the vital role his spouse plays in his entrepreneurial...

Go behind the scenes of OASIS! Host Shawn Robinson gives listeners an inside look at the planning, vision, and conversations shaping the symposium. From the inspiration behind it to the details that make it all come together, this episode reveals what it takes to create a powerful event focused on building inclusive and winning teams at the intersection of sports and education. Join us at OASIS in...

In this episode, Dr. Rosie Cheng — Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Wellness and Belonging and NCAA Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee at Carnegie Mellon — shares how growing up in a sports-filled household sparked a lifelong connection to athletics. After high school sports injuries introduced her to athletic training, she found her calling at the intersection of sports...

Join Shawn and Keye Thompson, a former linebacker at Pitt! After a 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.

In this episode, Bella Perkins, a recent Orange Arrow alum, shares her journey through sports, identity, and growth. From battling early injuries to playing in a national championship televised on ESPN and earning Gatorade State High School Player of the Year, Bella's path has been shaped by determination. She opens up about the college recruiting process, why she first chose USC, and how transfer...

On this episode of Inside the Play Call, Shawn is joined by Tommy — a runner, golfer, hunter, and recent Orange Arrow intern — who takes us through his unique journey on and off the track. A Pittsburgh native, Tommy shares how the pandemic disrupted his senior year of high school and shaped his path forward. From picking up golf during COVID to navigating college decisions after a lost application...

In this episode, host Shawn Robinson chats with Sam Novelli, who first joined Orange Arrow as a middle schooler through the OA12 program. Now a college student, Sam reflects on his journey, sharing his "superpowers," fondest OA memories, and his passion for music and education. This heartfelt episode offers a glimpse into their relationship over the years and highlights the lasting impact Orange A...

Go behind the scenes of OASIS! Host Shawn Robinson gives listeners an inside look at the planning, vision, and conversations shaping the symposium. From the inspiration behind it to the details that make it all come together, this episode reveals what it takes to create a powerful event focused on building inclusive and winning teams at the intersection of sports and education. Tune in for a first...

Shawn dives into the behind-the-scenes journey of securing the opening keynote speaker for the Orange Arrow Symposium in Sports (OASIS). Don’t miss this inside look at bringing the vision of OASIS to life! Register to join us with Coach Jim Tressel this June at Pitt: oasis2025.eventbrite.com

In this episode of Inside The Play Call with Orange Arrow, Shawn Robinson shares the realities of building a nonprofit from the ground up. From the challenges of growth and sustainability to the complexities of relationships and support, he reflects on lessons learned, the weight of leadership, and the unwavering mission to serve.

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 meeting the legendary Franco Harris and networking at OASIS.

Matthew Goncalves is a former Pitt football athlete and Orange Arrow intern. 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.

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 University, tune in to hear more about his college fo...

In this mini pod episode, host Shawn Robinson takes listeners back to the origins of Training Table — how it all started and the impact it has made. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive insider announcement about the upcoming Training Table Tour!

Join Shawn as he introduces OASIS — Orange Arrow’s groundbreaking event that brings people together to transform the sports community.

Go behind the scenes of OASIS! Host Shawn Robinson gives listeners an inside look at the planning, vision, and conversations shaping the symposium. From the inspiration behind it to the details that make it all come together, this episode reveals what it takes to create a powerful event focused on building inclusive and winning teams at the intersection of sports and education. Tune in for a first...

We're back! In this episode, host Shawn Robinson catches up with his former teammate, Tray Crayton. As they discuss sports, music, and faith, they uncover an even deeper connection — both were shaped by their early experiences growing up in the church. Tray, a former professional athlete and sports executive, shares his journey of overcoming adversity and finding purpose through his faith, which l...

We're going back into the OA Vault to revisit our episode with Mike Pichette, Ohio native, standout swimmer, and Pitt grad. Listen as he talks about growing up a swimmer, his injury, finding structure through Orange Arrow, and how he prepared for life after graduation.

Breonna Greene is a former OA intern and current student 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 got her start with OA last summer, including some of...

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 the attitude of “Get the job done." Stick around a...

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.