PISCATAWAY, NJ - After more than two decades of service, Roberta Anthes has announced her retirement as head coach of the Rutgers women’s cross country/track and field team. Long-time assistant coach James Robinson has been elevated to head coach, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Robert E. Mulcahy III, announced today.

“Roberta Anthes has embodied every positive attribute of a head coach,” Mulcahy said. “For more than two decades, Roberta guided our women’s track and field and cross country programs with class and distinction. Roberta inspired her student-athletes and took a great interest in their lives as a whole. I know I speak for everyone in the Rutgers community in expressing how much she will be missed and in wishing her all the best as she embarks on a new chapter in her life.”

For the past 10 seasons, Robinson served as an assistant coach and was primarily responsible for the Rutgers’ sprint, hurdle and jump groups. During the 2004-05 season, his athletes set seven school records and secured seven All-BIG EAST and 10 All-East performances. Following that 2004-05 campaign, Robinson was recognized as the NCAA East Region Assistant Coach of the Year for Sprints and Hurdles.

“I’m really thrilled to announce the hiring of James Robinson to lead our women’s track and field and cross country programs,” Mulcahy continued. “James is truly deserving of this opportunity. He is an outstanding teacher and recruiter, and is highly respected by the members of the programs and by his peers in the profession. To use an analogy from the sport, Roberta has ‘passed the baton’ to a very capable leader who I have confidence will lead our programs to great success.”