Danielle Robinson understood the significance of the Haiti earthquake. She knew of the massive death tolls and the immense scale of destruction.

But you can never really prepare yourself for that level of devastation, she says.

“You go in there expecting it to be bad, but to really see it, it’s worse than you expect,” she says. “And the people, they need help.”

Robinson, who’s used to weaving in and out of defenders on the court as a point guard for the OU women’s basketball team, spent seven days this summer maneuvering between tent cities on the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with her teammates.

The trip was organized by former scout team player Adam Barnett, now college missions director at Journey Church. Robinson and company spent most of their time in the city of Titaneyan, working at the Mission of Hope, which encompasses a clinic, church, orphanage and school.

The images of Haitians still living amongst the rubble have stuck with the sociology senior, and she hopes to accompany the team on a trip back to the country next summer.

But this urge to help people is a theme for the California native.

“I’m outgoing. I just love being around people,” she says. “I guess that’s why I’m a sociology major because I just love community.”

People are part of what lured her to OU in the first place. She already knew Courtney and Ashley Paris — now legendary among Sooners basketball faithful — from playing in the same area of California.

“Just seeing people from all over and how much they loved the program and how much they loved the coaches and the school,” she says. “I just fell in love with it right away.”

Part of the program’s endearment is the support coaches and staff give to those trying to maintain the ‘student’ part of student-athlete, she says.

“With all the study hall we have to do and all the tutors that are provided, you can’t help but succeed in my eyes,” she says. “What’s great about this program is that Coach [Sherri] Coale preaches that. Every semester, she wants us to have a 3.0 or higher. How many programs do you know that actually care that much?”

It should come as no surprise that Robinson’s first tip to freshmen is to just be socially outgoing.

“Get involved. In anything. Go to sporting events,” she says. “You’re going to meet more people and make more friends and have more fun.”

Outgoing and animated herself, Robinson’s favorite movie speaks volumes about her personality and outlook.

“Sister Act 2:[Back in the Habit],” she says without any hesitation.

A favorite of her mother’s as well, it’s the story – one of finding a passion when you work hard – that Robinson loves. And there’s a direct parallel to her own basketball career.

Robinson is, as she modestly admits, a definite leader on the women’s squad. Playing since her freshman yea, she has the advantage of experience to guide younger players. But she says she likes to do more than motivate people on the arena floor.

“And it’s not just on-the-court stuff,” she says. “It’s how to walk around campus, how to talk to people, all the things Coach Coale teaches us – how to be classy really.”

So if you happen to see Robinson on campus, make sure to say hi, or (hopefully) congratulate her on a championship season.

“I love that.”