The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Doctor Robin
09.05.2003 | Football
Brett Robin knows a thing or two about pressure.
A senior running back for The University of Texas, Robin has played in numerous games at Texas-Memorial Stadium in front of over 80,000 fans. He's played in the Holiday Bowl, the Cotton Bowl and in places such as College Station, Texas, and Lincoln, Nebraska.
He also proposed to his wife, Jenny, in front of an unexpected crowd of over 50 of his closest friends and family two summers ago.
All of that seemed easy compared to his Saturday morning on August 16. That's when Robin had to sit down and remember the two semesters of physics he took at UT. He also had to recall his two semesters of general chemistry before taking a reading comprehension test. That was all before writing two essays that covered such topics as biology and organic chemistry.
Those are just the general concepts covered on the MCAT (the Medical College Admission Test).
"With football, this is my fifth year at UT, so I'm pretty comfortable," Robin said. "Planning for a wedding was at least something enjoyable. The MCAT was entirely different. It was stressful, a lot of work, and I didn't know exactly what to expect."
While Robin might be worried about his performance on the test that will affect what medical school he is accepted to, the rest of the Longhorn team feels the Austin native has little to worry about.
"Brett is one of the hardest working guys on the team in everything he does," senior offensive lineman Tillman Holloway said. "I don't know how he does it, but the guy pulls all A's, is a great husband and a great asset to this football program. I don't think anyone on this team has any doubt that he did really well on the MCAT and that he will make an excellent doctor one day.'
It also helps that Robin's dad, Dr. Sid Robin, could provide his son with some valuable insight. A family physician in Austin, Dr. Sid Robin provided his son with the best hands on training possible last summer when the two traveled to Africa as members of a church mission. Once in towns like Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls, the younger Robin was able to watch his father and assist in medical training that aided over 1,000 people a day.
Although his father's advice helps in the medical field, the biggest help he's provided could be on how to handle a marriage, school and football all at the same time.
With days that would start as early as 5:30 a.m. and end well after dusk during two-a-days, Robin's toughest challenge comes in balancing a schedule.
"Fortunately, my wife is the most understanding person in the world," Robin said. "She makes everything easier for me and she gives me a lot of motivation to keep working hard."
Not that Robin's schedule is anything new to his wife. The two have been dating since the eighth grade when Robin's rival turned best friend, Brandon Tibbetts, helped set them up.
Tibbetts, who competed against Robin in everything from football to track in their youth, convinced Robin to give Jenny Scott a phone call during eighth grade, although the two had never met. They talked to each other for over a month before finally meeting in person when they went to see the movie Braveheart. Years later, Robin would tie their first date into his wedding proposal.
The only hitch in Robin's proposal wasn't picking the right moment or the right ring, it just happened to be in the amount of people who witnessed it.
In order to surprise Jenny, Robin had told his mom to tell her he really wanted a surprise party for his 21st birthday. While she was busy rounding up his friends, he was busy taking a scene out of Braveheart and making it into reality by flattening a flower and then placing the ring on the stem.
When he entered his house, expecting to turn the tables and make the party an engagement one, he had to adjust to a crowd of 50 to 60 people instead of the expected 15 to 20.
"I think Brett was a little shocked how many people were there," former Longhorn tight end Chad Stevens said. "He pulled it off without a hitch, though. It probably helped he knew what the answer was, but it was a really special moment for all of us to be there."
Even more people made it to the wedding this past May 24 at Riverbend Church in Austin. Current teammates Cullen Loeffler and Tillman Holloway, as well as former Longhorns Beau Trahan, Matt Trissell and Chad Stevens donned the Tuxedos as groomsmen, and others such as Tibbetts, Assistant Athletics Director for Strength and Conditioning Jeff Madden and Tight Ends Coach Bruce Chambers were amongst the 400 people in attendance.
Now Robin has what he refers to as his little island with his wife and apartment and a place to get away from the pressures and stress of school and football. A place he can go to relax while he awaits his MCAT scores, which he should receive by the time UT plays Kansas State on October 4. Then the pressure will be off, at least temporarily. OU weekend is the following Saturday.