Inside The Play Call with Orange Arrow

In this episode, Bella Perkins, a recent Orange Arrow alum, shares her journey through sports, identity, and growth. From battling early injuries to playing in a national championship televised on ESPN and earning Gatorade State High School Player of the Year, Bella's path has been shaped by determination.

She opens up about the college recruiting process, why she first chose USC, and how transferring to Pitt turned out to be a smooth transition — aside from leaving the California weather behind. Bella also reflects on her time as an OA intern, from sending her first work email to speaking during a meeting with the Steelers, and shares how the experience helped her grow professionally and personally. Most of all, she reminds us that while being an athlete shapes who you are, it’s only part of the story.

In this episode of Inside The Play Call with Orange Arrow, Shawn Robinson shares the realities of building a nonprofit from the ground up. From the challenges of growth and sustainability to the complexities of relationships and support, he reflects on lessons learned, the weight of leadership, and the unwavering mission to serve.

On this episode of Inside the Play Call, Shawn is joined by Tommy — a runner, golfer, hunter, and recent Orange Arrow intern — who takes us through his unique journey on and off the track. A Pittsburgh native, Tommy shares how the pandemic disrupted his senior year of high school and shaped his path forward.

From picking up golf during COVID to navigating college decisions after a lost application, Tommy’s story is not one to miss. He opens up about starting at community college, making the leap to Pitt, and the grind of life as a student-athlete — early flights, long days, little sleep, and everything in-between. He also reflects on his time as an OA intern and what he’s carrying forward from his experience.

In this episode, Dr. Rosie Cheng shares how growing up in a sports-filled household sparked a lifelong connection to athletics. After high school sports injuries introduced her to athletic training, she found her calling at the intersection of sports and healthcare.

From rotations with Pitt Football to leadership roles in higher ed, Rosie’s journey includes advocating for student-athlete wellness and addressing tough topics like eating disorders in athletics. Her doctoral research explored the barriers Division III athletes face when accessing mental health resources, highlighting time constraints, lack of awareness, and the self-imposed stigma many still navigate. Tune in to hear more!

Dr. Rich Milner is the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education and Human Development. In this role, he is not only a teacher, but also a researcher and leader in the fields of urban education and teacher education. Tune in to hear more about his journey to Vanderbilt, his time at Pitt - where he served as the director of the Center for Urban Education - and how he ended up rejoining the faculty at Vanderbilt in 2018.

Hank Poteat is the cornerbacks coach for the Iowa State Cyclones. In this role, he not only coaches but also mentors and develops his players to be more than just an athlete. Tune in to hear about his 10-year NFL career, which included a Super Bowl win, and the unique opportunity he had to play in the final game at two iconic Pittsburgh stadiums.

"We did it, ya'll, we did it."

TEN for Orange Arrow was a great success! Tune in as Shawn reflects on our 10-year celebration event and everyone who made it possible.

Join Shawn and this week’s guest, Aimee Watters! Watters discusses her early beginning in sports, working her way up to playing soccer at Pitt while pursuing a degree in marketing and, later, an MBA. They also discuss her first job with Heinz and her eventual transition to DICK’S Sporting Goods, where she has played an integral role in the company’s growth, including through one of her favorite projects, the Sports Matter Spring Giving Tour.

Alexander Dexter - aka Dexter - is a professional soccer player who has played for Loudoun United and Charleston Battery. Tune in to hear more about his childhood as a military kid who lived everywhere from a goat farm in Georgia to Germany, and how he came to attend Pitt, where he was a standout soccer student-athlete and OA volunteer.

In this episode, Acklin shares his journey from growing up in South Oakland to leading one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and trust on and off the ice. He also discusses the value of consistently showing up and the leadership qualities that unite people in sports and beyond.