The State University of New York New Paltz announced the hiring of Samantha Robbins as the newest Head of Sports Medicine effective July 17, 2025.
"I am eager to compliment the student-athlete experience that the Hawks Athletic Department is already cultivating. As the Director of Sports Medicine, I hope to create a culture that not only promotes growth in all avenues of student-athlete life but also allows student-athletes to feel safe, seen, and supported," Robbins said. "I am looking forward to working with the talented and hardworking student-athletes that wear the Hawks uniform."
Robbins spent the last three years at neighboring Bard College in the same role, serving as the Director of Sports Performance/Head Athletic Trainer. While with the Raptors, Robbins oversaw both the sports medicine department and strength and conditioning.
Prior to Bard, Robbins spent three years with the Saugerties Stallions of the Perfect Game College Baseball League as the Strength and Conditioning Coach and Movement Specialist from June 2018 until 2021, and since then has also opened Design Yourself Strong, LLC based out of Saugerties, NY. As the owner of the organization, Robbins serves as the conditioning coach and nutrition educator, designing and implementing strength and conditioning programs for youth, high school and college athletes.
"We are excited to have Samantha join our team," said SUNY New Paltz Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Renee Bostic. "Her diverse experiences will be a value add to our student-athletes."
Robbins has been a certified athletic trainer since 2008, along with being NSCA certified in strength and conditioning, a National Athletic Training Association member, National Strength and Conditioning Association member and American Heart BLS member since 2008.
Robbins graduated from the University of New England in 2008 with an undergraduate degree in athletic training education before earning a master's at New York Chiropractic College in Applied Clinical Nutrition in 2017. Robbins is a local to New Paltz, having graduating from New Paltz Central High School in 2004.
"Being a native of New Paltz, there is a sense of pride and homecoming in accepting the position of Director of Sports Medicine at SUNY New Paltz," Robbins said. "I couldn't think of a better position to continue to advance my career in sports medicine."
