From the Stands to Support: Robbye Fox Launches Mental Health Fund for Maryland Student-Athletes

It started in the stands for Robbye Fox. 

Fox (’84) had spent countless hours cheering on her son at swim meets, proudly watching him compete at the University of Virginia from 2009-13. Her son’s career unfolded as most parents would hope for their kids — filled with memories and success. 

The mother witnessed her son win four ACC titles, one of which he served as a co-captain for in 2012-13. However, she also observed her son experience a mental void after his collegiate swimming career ended.  

“For him, I found that — this is what's unique to athletes — so much of his identity was about the sport he participated in,” Fox said. “These days, kids start these sports at ridiculously young ages and are only playing that sport. It becomes a part of who they are and their identity.”

Fox, a Licensed Master Social Worker and University of Maryland alumna, recognizes her experience with her son — among others in her family and career — as one of the leading factors that opened her view to the mental health challenges student-athletes often face. 

She combined two of her interests and passions — giving back and advocating for mental health — to ensure no student-athlete is left behind.  

Fox created the Mental Health Resources Endowed Program Support Fund for Intercollegiate Athletics at her alma mater, aiming to give Maryland’s student-athletes the resources, support and care they need to thrive in sport, school and life.

“Robbye’s interest in athletics and higher education, along with her professional background as a psychotherapist focused on restorative health, aligned well with the efforts we have made to enhance our mental health services for Maryland student-athletes,” Dr. Sue Sherburne, Maryland's Executive Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator, said. 

“Her investment will further strengthen our ability to meet the mental health needs of our student-athletes during a transition in their personal lives, and during a period of significant change within college athletics. We are so appreciative of Robbye's kindness and generosity."

Fox’s connection to Maryland runs deep. A native of Fort Washington, she grew up a fan of the school amongst a split household of Maryland and North Carolina fans. This caused her to become an avid enjoyer of ACC basketball and the rivalry between the Terps and Tar Heels. She recalls attending Cole Field House in the early ‘70s and watching star big men Tom McMillen and Len Elmore dominate the hardwood. 

She transferred to Maryland from Boston University in her sophomore year. She then graduated in College Park with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. 

“I’m a proud graduate of the 1980s, which is arguably the best decade to have been a Maryland Terrapin,” Fox said. “Those days of football, Boomer [Esiason], Frank Reich's miracle in Miami. I got to see Len Bias play in person. The basketball team won an ACC championship in my senior year. … I made lifelong friendships during that time. It just felt like home while I was here.”

After graduating from Maryland, Fox leveraged her degree and worked in marketing communications for Marriott, Fannie Mae and other local corporations. However, once all her children had graduated from college, she transitioned to a career in social work and therapy. 

Fox returned to school to earn her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022. She’s been working in individual therapy for roughly five years, specializing in anxiety, relationship issues and anger management in young adults. 

“I think just life experience, mental health issues in my own family, and other people around me led me to a career in therapy,” Fox said. “I felt it kept calling back to me. … It's always been an interest and passion of mine. People in my life kept saying I should be a therapist.”

She regards her experience with her son as eye-opening to the mental health challenges that athletes specifically face. Along with being one of the contributors to her creating the Mental Health Resources Endowed Program Support Fund for Intercollegiate Athletics, the encounter was one of her main reasons for becoming a therapist.   

“I got a front row seat to the different pressures that athletes are under and how it can impact their mental health,” Fox said. “Sometimes people just need a space to talk openly and honestly and not risk feeling judged or criticized, but just provided with space, perspective and encouragement.”

While Fox was helping establish the fund, she wanted to reach all 20 of the men’s and women’s varsity athletic teams that Maryland sponsors. She worked with staff and was able to do precisely that. The fund is also endowed, providing support year after year. 

According to research published by Allen Press in 2023, approximately one in five student-athletes experience some type of mental health concern. However, fewer than half of student-athletes who report mental health concerns seek mental health treatment. The data also suggests that stigma is the primary reason for the latter. 

Fox says mental health care goes beyond treating a particular diagnosis or trauma. It's about learning to regulate emotions and manage anger, developing resilience to overcome a negative outcome or injury, and strengthening one's sense of self and ability to connect authentically with others. These skills can be utilized while competing and throughout life.

She hopes her investment in mental health resources can help reduce the stigma. She also hopes Maryland student-athletes will see an opportunity to better themselves on the field, on the court, in their lives and relationships through getting the help they need.  

“I hope it can have a lasting impact, and perhaps be a part of the culture,” Fox said. “Here at the University of Maryland, we care about you as students, we care about you as athletes, we care about you as people and we want you to leave equipped for the world.”