Robin Fulton Finds Support in Family & Team
Monday, October 20, 2003 | Soccer
Robin Fulton started learning teamwork the day she was born. The Fulton family could field their own soccer team with players to spare.
Robin, the youngest of 14 siblings, could captain the team of athletes who inspired her at an early age to pursue soccer. At age four she was already toeing the soccer ball at the community center across the street. The competition among her family is probably what makes Robin such a force today for the Gators.
"It was always competitive between us, and I always had to play at their level. If you wanted to be in there, you had to compete," Fulton said.
Robin grew up in Wyoming, Ohio, just outside of Cincinnati. As one of the younger siblings, Robin would rotate among beds in the four-bedroom house the Fultons called home. You might think the crowded atmosphere would lead to animosity. Not in this house.
"It was fun," Robin said last year of growing up in a crowded home. "There was never a dull moment. We were in it together all the time, getting in trouble. Whatever it was we would have fun."
Robin never knew her father who passed away before she was born. The family grew even tighter years later when Robin's stepfather passed on as well. Nina, the matriarch of the family, kept the family together. It is a testament to Nina that many of Robin's siblings have excelled in college and with athletics.
While Robin is the only soccer player, the Fultons know a thing or two about the American version of football as Robin's brothers Garnail, Dale, and Ivan all played football at the collegiate level.
After excelling in high school in basketball, track, and soccer, Robin made her way to Florida. Florida Head Coach Becky Burleigh has said she knew Robin would fit the Gator program well after growing up in such a large household. "I figured she had to be tough to come from a family of 14," Burleigh said.
Leaving her most important team to join a new one back in the fall of 2000, Robin forged a new family from her new team. "My team is all I have here," Fulton said. "My family were my best friends at home and it has transferred to here in my teammates."
During her four years, the senior midfielder has accomplished more than helping her team win two Southeastern Conference Championships and a trip to the NCAA College Cup in 2001. Last year, in addition to a spot on the All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament teams, Robin was named to Academic All-SEC Honor Roll. "I've matured as a person here at Florida," Fulton said. "Both academically and athletically I have come a long way."
Robin hopes to begin her work with children after she receives her degree in communication sciences and disorders in May of 2004. "I love kids," Fulton said. "I've always wanted to work with children. I just didn't know how, but being at UF opened the door of possibilities for me."
She was introduced to speech pathology as a freshman after a self-interest test showed her high level of interest in the field. Robin learned more about program from former Gator goalkeeper Jordan Kellgren, who was majoring in communication sciences and disorders. Robin would like to work with children with speech/voice disorders one day. But first she wouldn't mind playing soccer for a few more years. "If the WUSA came back, I would like to give that a try," Fulton said.
Whatever she does, she will be close to her family as Robin plans to return home after graduation. No matter what she does, Robin will use her experience with both her families, her Ohio and now her Florida one which she has been a part of as a student-athlete for over three years now.
"It's fun being an athlete, "Fulton said. "It's like being part of your own community."
By Carmine Pirone, UF Sports Information
