Thomas Robson ’21 is making his mark as the assistant coach of the Omaha Supernovas, a professional women’s volleyball team competing in Major League Volleyball. At 26, Robson is recognized as the youngest person in more than 90 years to coach and win a game or match with a U.S. professional sports team, including men’s and women’s professional basketball, soccer, volleyball, and Major League Baseball.
In 2026, he helped lead the Supernovas to their third consecutive postseason appearance and after stepping into the role of interim head coach late in the season, guided the team to a runner-up finish in MLV.
His path to professional volleyball began at Viterbo, where he served as an assistant coach with the women’s volleyball program while earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in sports management. Robson’s time at Viterbo, from 2019 to 2021 and again in 2023 gave him the opportunity to take on numerous responsibilities, develop his coaching philosophy, and rediscover his passion for the sport.
“My time with Viterbo’s program and everything I learned is what sets me apart from other coaches in my field.”
His path to Omaha included roles as volunteer assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin’s Women’s Volleyball program, and a facilitator for the player-led league Athletes Unlimited. These experiences led him to the Omaha Supernovas, where he combines coaching, leadership, business, and relationship building.
Community is an important part of Robson’s work. He works with youth, adult, and coach clinics and partners with various organizations such as the YMCA to help make volleyball opportunities more accessible to families who may not otherwise afford club volleyball or registration fees.
He founded Train Like a Pro to bring professional and collegiate athletes together to coach youth and high school players. “These athletes inspire future generations of players,” he explained.
He grew up watching his sisters play. “It just kind of stuck,” he said. “I had the passion for the game and a lot of qualities that made for a great coach, so it was a natural for me.”
Laura “Bird” Kuhn, general manager of Atlanta Vibe Pro Volleyball and former head coach for the Supernovas, shared, “Thomas has an old soul, a business mind, and the ability to connect people. His passion and knowledge for the game have catapulted him on to the professional volleyball stage as an integral piece of the Supernovas staff.”
“Thomas’s core characteristics of being reliable and resourceful will be the foundation of what is already proving to be a successful coaching career,” Kuhn added.
Some of his best memories are with Viterbo’s women’s volleyball team. “From bus rides to matches, summer days at Pettibone Beach, or just hanging out, we created a family atmosphere. We stay connected today with group chats.” Robson, who is from Cross Plains, Wisconsin transferred to Viterbo from Quincy University. “The overall community that is Viterbo, from the students to the faculty, are what makes it special.”
Robson’s Viterbo education helped prepare him for the business side of professional sports. He enjoyed a marketing class with John Neuman that focused on creativity and strategy, two concepts that prepared him well in recruiting, building relationships and partnerships, and promoting the Supernovas throughout the Omaha community.
Robson enjoys travel photography and taking trips with his wife Katie Frohmader-Robson ’21.
