Profile in Professionalism

Through their work with the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP), York College graduates Matthew Robinson ’86 and Matt Volpe ’09 help foster international relations through sport.

ICECP, which is in its second year, is a coaching education program run through the University of Delaware and the U.S. Olympic Committee. The program provides national-level coaches from around the globe with an intensive educational curriculum that consists of lectures, projects, guest speakers, participant presentations, group work, field trips and project planning.

Robinson, an English education graduate and captain of the 1985 Spartan soccer team, is director of the University of Delaware’s undergrad and graduate sport management programs and is also director of ICECP. A veteran of international sport management, he has generated more than $1 million to implement sport initiatives in Turkey, Senegal, Ireland and India, and has worked with the U.S. Department of State in the area of sport diplomacy. Through the ICECP, Robinson has worked with the National Olympic Committees of 45 countries.

Volpe served as ICECP’s public relations coordinator during the fall. Fresh out of York, he interned with Robinson and gained valuable experience in international sport management, public relations and sport program administration.

“Matt has been incredible,” said Robinson. “The YCP Sport Management program and wrestling programs should be very proud of Matt. He was prepared to handle the responsibilities of the position from his training in the sport management program, and there was no challenge Matt could not over come. I am sure that had something to do with what Coach Kessler instilled with the wrestling program. Matt’s represented YCP in the most positive way. He has a bright future ahead of him.”

“ICECP is amazing,” Volpe said. “Not only does it provide a world-class education program for elite coaches, but it helps foster international relations and cooperation through sport. It’s a great program to be involved in and it’s exciting to see how sport unifies people internationally.”

More information about ICECP, news stories from the 2009 program, videos and pictures from each module and blog entries from participants can be found at www.udel.edu/icecp.

Written by Matt Volpe ’09