Mia Robinson will soon be leaving home for her college hockey and academic career, but the Timnath native won’t be in unfamiliar territory.

Late last month, the second-year Team Colorado AAA standout committed to NCAA Division III Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

“When I first started looking at NCAA Division III schools, Concordia’s location was a key factor as I have lots of family in that area because my parents grew up just a hour north of there,” Robinson said. “So when visiting family this past summer, I had the opportunity to get in contact with Coach Gregoire and got a full visit of the campus and community.

“Concordia has a lot of opportunities academic-wise and had exactly what I was looking for, which was marketing and human resources. It also stood out to me that because of the school’s small size, there would be lots of opportunities for connections with teachers and support of being a student-athlete. For the hockey program, I could see right away how sports were very valued and the student body is very close and supportive of all programs. In addition, the team was very well supported and connected, so I could easily see myself playing there.”

Away from the rink, Robinson explained how academics have always been a priority in her life, saying, “school has always been super important to me.”

Growing up just east of Fort Collins, Robinson played competitive soccer, basketball and softball, “and I loved playing all of them, but I started to love hockey more.”

Robinson started playing hockey when she was 12 and played on a co-ed team for two years with the NCYH Jr. Eagles. She then played 15U girls hockey at Boulder, 14U AA and 16U AA girls hockey with the Rocky Mountain Lady RoughRiders and then ultimately landing with Team Colorado AAA, playing on the 19U team the past two years.

With the Jr. Eagles, Lady RoughRiders and Team Colorado, Robinson said her most influential coaches have been Jim Mullin, Steve Wiggins, Molli Mott, Chris Lockrem, Buzz Tryggeseth, Shelby Butler, Dru Burns, Karen Rickard, Vanessa Taylor, Tatum Gietl and Greg Sodbinow, for a variety of reasons.

Now with her college commitment set, Robinson can start to look ahead.

“I am looking excited to begin my next chapter and see where hockey goes,” said Robinson. “I am also excited to continue my educational goals of pursuing a degree in marketing and human resources.”

Photo/Be Feral Media

— Matt Mackinder

(January 5, 2025)