🎧 Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt, funny, and emotional father-daughter edition of Outside the Pins, UW-Oshkosh alum Riley Kindt is joined by her father, Deke, for a raw and powerful conversation on legacy, love, and what it means to show up—for your family, your team, and yourself. From backyard trampolines and youth sports stories to Deke’s recent cancer diagnosis, the Kindts open up about the moments that shaped them, the perspective gained through adversity, and the unwavering support system that made it all possible. It's about more than volleyball—this episode is a celebration of grit, gratitude, growth, and the beautiful mess of doing life together.

🏠 The Kindt Family Foundation: Love, Loyalty, & Laughter

Raised in a family of athletes (including an NFL legacy), Riley shares stories of growing up under the guidance of a dad who led with heart—not volume—and modeled resilience in every way. Whether she was working through her 16th birthday car accident or her 16th missed tip in practice, Deke’s steady support and high expectations became her compass.

💔 Cancer, Perspective & Purpose

Deke recounts the shocking moment his daughter noticed his yellow skin after a fishing trip—leading to a life-changing cancer diagnosis. With honesty and grace, he shares the brutal truths about navigating treatment delays, palliative care conversations, and the frustrating gaps in cancer care. Through it all, Riley—alongside her aunt and extended family—has been a relentless advocate and caregiver. The journey has changed everything: diet, mindset, faith, and purpose.

🏐 Volleyball as a Vehicle for Life Lessons

From her first tooth falling out on a tee-ball field to nearly quitting club volleyball, Riley’s story is filled with memorable, formative moments—and always, someone in her corner. Coaches from her MVP club days to college created environments where she felt wanted, supported, and inspired to keep going. Deke remembers every bit of it. Every serve. Every mile driven.

💪 Work Ethic Without Apology

Whether wearing long sleeves to sweat more in practice or redefining what a “super middle” looks like, Riley’s unmatched motor and toughness became part of her identity—and her legacy. Her dad, now battling cancer, credits her as part of the reason he’s fighting so hard.

🎓 The Next Chapter

Now a nurse, homeowner, and engaged to her fiancé Cole, Riley continues to support her family while navigating adulthood with the same determination she brought to the court. Deke, grateful and proud, reflects on how incredible it is to see his daughter leading in life the way she once did in sport.

🌎 Costa Rica & Collective Joy

One of the standout memories for both came during the team’s international trip to Costa Rica. From ziplining to waterfall swimming, Deke embraced every moment—even when the current took him under (but the phone stayed dry!). For Riley, seeing her family and teammates connect across borders made it unforgettable.

🏆 Legacy of Support – From Stands to Sidelines

The Kindt family—and the entire Oshkosh Family—created an atmosphere of unconditional support in the stands that mirrored the culture built on the court. Win or lose. Starter or not. Everyone mattered.

❤️ Final Takeaways:

• From Riley: “If you’re upset, go outside. Move. Work through it. That came from my dad. And now I live by it.”
• From Deke: “The fight is worth it when you’re not in it alone. And thanks to this family, I never am.”

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Outside the Pins, UW-Oshkosh alum Robyn Kirsch reflects on her transformational Titan journey—from a season-ending ACL injury before committing to Oshkosh, to anchoring the team’s rise to back-to-back NCAA Elite Eight appearances. As both a quiet leader and fierce competitor, Robin became a cornerstone of the program’s evolution—on the court, in the classroom, and now as a coach and dental school applicant. She shares wisdom on resilience, learning through adversity, staying authentic in leadership, and why the relationships you build in a locker room can change your life forever.

Key Topics:

💪 Injuries & Resilience:
After an ACL tear during her senior year of high school, Robin didn’t give up—she adapted. She coached. She had two knee surgeries and an ankle surgery in college—but returned stronger. Her drive to contribute, even while sidelined, became a defining trait.

🏐 Quiet Grit, Loud Impact:
Though never the loudest voice, Robin became a high-IQ, high-trust leader. Whether crushing film breakdowns, writing playbook-level scouting notes, or anchoring serve receive with calm consistency, she embodied the “warrior” award she was given—and proved leadership comes in many forms.

🌊 Costa Rica, Community & Culture:
From surfing wipeouts and orphanage connections to zip lining and chocolate-making chants, Robin’s memories of the team’s international trip to Costa Rica captured the joy, depth, and long-term impact of global service—and how those moments still come up in dental school interviews.

🎪 Green Lake to Community Night:
Robin’s memories range from getting lost in Green Lake to throwing a ball into the net at the first-ever Community Night in front of 2,800 fans. These moments—funny, formative, electric—symbolize the power of shared experience and strong team bonds.

🧠 Authenticity in Leadership:
Robin didn’t need a captain’s title to lead. She leaned into who she was—a trusted listener, steady competitor, and deeply thoughtful teammate. Her belief: when everyone leads authentically, the group is stronger together.

🎓 Biomedical Brain & Coaching Heart:
A Biomedical Sciences major with a Chemistry minor, Robin has her eyes set on dental school—but she’s not leaving the volleyball world. Now a varsity assistant and club coach, she’s passing on the same mindset, grit, and growth she modeled as a Titan.

🏆 Progress Worth Pursuing:
Robin’s class helped build a program that grew from missing the NCAA tournament to two straight Elite Eight runs. Her advice to future Titans: “Embrace challenges, work together, and understand that how you grow as a team matters more than any outcome.”

Episode Summary:
In this deeply moving and inspiring conversation, UW-Oshkosh Volleyball alum Mel Hust returns to camp and the podcast mic with vulnerability, humor, and wisdom. From nearly walking away from the game after two knee surgeries to becoming a cornerstone of the Titan program and second all-time in aces, Mel shares her story of rediscovering passion, navigating mental health, persevering through nursing school, and enduring unimaginable personal loss. Through it all, Mel’s quiet strength, explosive play, and genuine heart made her a leader both on and off the court. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and the importance of leaning into who you truly are.

Key Topics:

🌟 The Spark Returns:
After declaring she was done with volleyball, Mel came to one last camp—and everything changed. A spark reignited. A campus clicked. And a role in the Titan legacy began.

🧠 Mental Health, Mindset & Growth:
Mel opens up about the early college struggle—online classes, lack of structure, academic disinterest—and how depression colored her first few years. With time and support, she began taking ownership of her routine, rediscovered her purpose, and learned to ask for help.

💪 Real Life, Real Support:
From barely passing chemistry to being surrounded by staff who rallied around her to make sure she got into the nursing program, Mel’s story highlights the depth of support that exists at Oshkosh—for those willing to receive it.

❤️ Her Father’s Legacy:
Just days before playing in the NCAA Elite 8, Mel learned of her father’s passing. Her resilience in that moment—and the outpouring of love from teammates and coaches—shaped one of the most unforgettable moments in program history.

🏐 Role Acceptance & Impact:
Mel went from aspiring libero to elite server and DS, becoming one of the most dangerous weapons in UWO’s rotation and climbing to 2nd all-time in rally-era aces. More importantly, she found joy and pride in embracing her role and mastering it.

👟 Leadership Her Way:
Mel’s brand of leadership was subtle but powerful—leading by example, being a steady and trusted teammate, and showing others that you can be both fierce on the court and gentle off it.

🎉 Locker Room Lore:
Her iconic crowd-surfing in the locker room became a metaphor for her transformation—once quiet and reserved, she fully embraced her authentic self and gave others permission to do the same.

🧠 Mel’s Advice for Titans:
“Be yourself. Stick to a routine. Talk about how you feel. Lean on people. Don’t isolate. Let people in.”

Final Takeaway:
“Authenticity is a superpower. When you stop fearing other people’s opinions and start living as your full self, everything changes—for you and for those around you.”