Basketball Promotes Bruinsma, Adds Robinson to Staff

by YSU

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2015 7:10 am

Youngstown – Youngstown State men's basketball Head Coach Jerry Slocum announced today the addition of Stew Robinson to the coaching staff and the promotion of Kevin Bruinsma to assistant coach.

Robinson comes to YSU with 14 years of experience and coaching stints in the Big XII, Ohio Valley Conference and the Horizon League.

"Stew is a quality addition to our staff," Slocum said. "He has a great pedigree in terms of working for Coach (Bob) Knight. He's been a part of the Knight family for a long time. He played four years for him and coached at Texas Tech with him.

"Coach Robinson brings an enthusiasm and positiveness to our program, and we are really excited to have him."

Robinson spent the last four seasons at Horizon League member UIC from 2011-15 and served as the Flames' recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, 15 of 17 seniors graduated, and he helped the Flames to the school's first postseason victory in the 2013 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Prior to joining UIC, Robinson spent eight seasons at Texas Tech under Head Coaches Bob Knight and Pat Knight from 2003-11. While in Lubbock, Texas, Robinson helped the Red Raiders to three NCAA Tournaments, including the 2005 Sweet 16, and 19-or-more wins on four occasions.

After serving as an assistant at Plattsburgh State for one season, Robinson accepted a position on the staff of the Morehead State Eagles (2002-03). At 20-9 that season, the Eagles were co-champions of the Ohio Valley Conference and registered their second 20-win mark in school history.

Robinson was a three-year starter and two-time assist leader at Indiana (1982-86) under Bob Knight, helping the Hoosiers advance to three NCAA Tournaments, including two "Sweet 16" berths. He was also a member of Indiana's 1982-83 Big Ten Conference championship team. During his career, Robinson scored 630 points and dished out 391 assists. Overall, Robinson has competed in post-season play in four seasons and coached three teams in the postseason.

Bruinsma has spent the last two seasons as YSU's Director of Basketball Operations from 2013-15 before his promotion. As director of operations, Bruinsma was responsible for all of the day-to-day operations, video and technology, team travel, academic support, community outreach, on-campus recruiting, serving as the summer camp liaison and supervising team managers.

"We are really excited about Kevin and what he has done for us in the past," Slocum said. "He's ready to make that next step up of being on the floor and a recruiter. He has clearly shown his worth to this program, and it's an honor to be able to do this for him."

Prior to joining the Youngstown State staff, Bruinsma served as the Director of Basketball Technology at the University of Portland for the 2012-13 season.

At Portland, Bruinsma handled the day-to-day video operations, opponent and self scouting, developing recruiting materials and presentations, on campus recruiting, and managed the Pilot Teaching Board which was the first interactive video teaching board in the entire country.

During his year at Portland, the Pilots increased their win total from the previous season, and finished runners-up in the Las Vegas Classic Tournament.

He spent the previous three seasons as a graduate manager and video coordinator for Cleveland State University.

During his tenure with Cleveland State, the Vikings won the Horizon League Championship in 2011, participated in two postseason NITs, and produced an NBA First Round Draft Pick in Norris Cole of the Miami Heat.

Prior his time at Cleveland State, Bruinsma was the junior varsity head boys' basketball coach and assistant varsity coach at Concord High School (Mich.) for two years. He also served as an advanced scout at Division III Albion College (Mich.) from 2007-09. He also has extensive experience working a variety of summer basketball camps.
 
Bruinsma's first basketball technology experience was an internship with the Orlando Magic of the NBA, where his focus was on scouting and video breakdown during the summer of 2007.

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