Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Rob Nickens

Washington,DC

Summary

Dynamic Recreation Specialist with a proven track record at DC Parks and Recreation, recognized for developing impactful programs and fostering community engagement. Acclaimed as the winningest boys public school coach in Washington, D.C. history. I excel in athlete recruitment and performance analysis, demonstrating strong leadership and strategic planning skills. Celebrated for five city championships and multiple coaching accolades.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Recreation Specialist

DC Parks and Recreation
Washington, DC
03.2025 - Current
  • Promoted culture focused on safe participation in recreational activities.
  • Developed events and programs in consideration of needs, abilities and interests of participants.
  • Planned, organized, facilitated and promoted diverse recreational programs.
  • Maintained participant safety through careful monitoring and supervision.
  • Maintained records related to program participants, staff training, budgeting.
  • Managed daily operations of recreational facilities.

Head Travel Basketball Coach

Dc Premiere
Washington , DC
03.2022 - Current
  • Coached Under Armour UAA 15U. Travel, playing the best players in the nation.
  • Conducted recruitment efforts to identify and attract promising athletes to the program.
  • Implemented team practice, meeting and game schedules and communicated important information to players, staff and families.
  • Managed staff of assistant coaches to ensure proper coaching techniques were being used during practices and games.
  • Educated athletes in rules, strategies, sportsmanship and performance principles.
  • Organized and led team meetings to set goals, discuss strategies, and review performance.

Head Boys Basketball Coach

Roosevelt Senior High School
Washington, DC
01.2006 - Current
  • Conducted regular team meetings to set goals, review progress, and address concerns.
  • Recruited and evaluated potential student-athletes, aligning team needs with talent acquisition.
  • Developed training and exercise programs to meet individual requirements and team play strategies.
  • Attended conferences related to coaching strategies or player development tactics.
  • Facilitated conflict resolution among team members to maintain a cohesive unit.
  • Collaborated with other sports programs within the school district to ensure a positive athletic environment.
  • Conducted scouting of opponents to prepare effective game strategies and counterplays.
  • Fostered positive relationships with parents, school administrators, boosters, alumni, and community members.
  • Worked closely in training capacity with fellow student-athletes during off-season.
  • Adjusted coaching techniques to meet athlete needs and address strengths and weaknesses.
  • Managed team budget including fundraising activities to generate funds for equipment purchases or tournament fees.
  • Built strong media and community relationships through positive interaction and communication in support of sports program.
  • Recruited potential athletes by sending recruitment letters, meeting with recruits and arranging and offering incentives.
  • Designed and executed off-season training programs to maintain player fitness and skill levels.
  • Encouraged team members to become stronger, more agile athletes and more successful competitors through focus, effective training and proper nutrition.
  • Ran drills and fitness circuits to improve athletes' coordination and skills.

Roving Leader

DC Parks and Recreation
Washington, DC
01.1999 - 03.2025
  • Outreach worker. Interact one-on-one with targeted teens and youth.
  • Developed a plan of actions by matching individuals' needs with priorities, utilizing recreation and leisure activities.
  • Established clear roles, responsibilities, expectations, timelines, and resources for team projects.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends in order to apply best practices.

Head Boys Travel Basketball Coach

Metroball Youth Outreach
Washington , DC
03.2016 - 03.2022
  • Head travel basketball coach for boys aged 12 to 14.
  • Direct all aspects of the junior boys' basketball program, which involves coordinating player development, managing an assistant coach, overseeing the practice facility, communicating with management, reviewing game and practice film, and developing game plans.
  • Fostered positive relationships with parents, school administrators, boosters, alumni, and community members.
  • Develop innovative new drills for training, covering dribbling, passing, shooting, defense, and rebounding.

Head Boys Jr. Varsity Basketball Coach

Cardozo High School
Washington, DC
03.1998 - 04.2020
  • Imparted team and game rules with authority and clarity, which improved understanding and reduced fouls.
  • Educated athletes in rules, strategies, sportsmanship and performance principles.
  • Analyzed player performance and game footage to identify areas for improvement and strategic adjustments.
  • Established performance metrics and conducted regular evaluations to track progress and make necessary adjustments.

Head Boys Basketball Coach

MM Washington HighSchool
Washington, DC
11.1999 - 03.2005
  • Recruited and evaluated potential student-athletes, aligning team needs with talent acquisition.
  • Developed training and exercise programs to meet individual requirements and team play strategies.
  • Created relationships with parents, school administrators, boosters, alumni, and community members.
  • Monitored student athlete academic performance through grade checking and boosted results with study hall and techniques.

Education

Sports And Entertainment Management

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
01-2025

Some College (No Degree) - General Studies

Catholic University
Washington, DC
01-1997

Associates Of General Studies - General Studies

Olney College
Olney, IL
01-1995

Some College (No Degree) - General Studies

Cloud County College
Concordia, KS
01-1994

High School Diploma -

Spingarn High School
Washington, DC
01-1990

Skills

  • Player development
  • Game strategy
  • Team management
  • Athlete recruitment
  • Performance analysis
  • Budget management
  • Event planning
  • Conflict resolution
  • Relationship building
  • Coaching techniques
  • Mentorship
  • Safety supervision
  • Scouting opponents
  • Staff development
  • Record management
  • Game strategy development
  • Strength conditioning
  • Character building
  • Practice planning
  • Coaching meetings
  • Recruitment
  • Defensive strategies
  • Skill assessment
  • Fundamentals teaching
  • Player recruitment
  • Crisis management
  • Safety management
  • Competition preparation

Accomplishments

  • 2004 JV City Championship at MM Washington (DC). Record 25-0. First Boys Head Basketball coach to win a city championship.
  • 2005 Promoted to boys' head boys' basketball coach Varsity West Division Championship at MM Washington (DC)
  • 2008,2011,2014,2016,2020 collectively winning 5 City Championships
  • 2014 won the state championship Being the first public school to win against private schools.
  • Currently, the winningest coach in Washington, D.C., with a record of 461 wins and 142 losses
  • 15 DCIAA final four: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012,2013,2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025
  • 10 championship appearances, more than any coach in the DCIAA, 2008,2011,2012,2013,2014,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020
  • No.2 Boys and girls club age 16 won two city championships
  • No.10 Boys and girls club won 2 championships
  • 4 DCIAA Coach of the year:2008,2011,2014,2020
  • 2020 Washington Post All Metropolitan Coach of the year
  • 2023 received a ceremonial Resolution from the Council of The District Of Columbia. Making June 15th Rob Nickens day. All for the outstanding community and athletic accomplishments
  • 2014 became the first president of the Lamond Riggs Youth football organization
  • 2012-2013 started youth organization called Lamond lightning
  • I myself was a starting point guard for Spingarn High School.
  • 1988-1990 won over 100 games
  • Won two East Division Championships at Spingarn
  • As a freshmen Cloud county College I was 1st team all J hawk conference
  • At olney and catholic University played lettered

Timeline

Recreation Specialist

DC Parks and Recreation
03.2025 - Current

Head Travel Basketball Coach

Dc Premiere
03.2022 - Current

Head Boys Travel Basketball Coach

Metroball Youth Outreach
03.2016 - 03.2022

Head Boys Basketball Coach

Roosevelt Senior High School
01.2006 - Current

Head Boys Basketball Coach

MM Washington HighSchool
11.1999 - 03.2005

Roving Leader

DC Parks and Recreation
01.1999 - 03.2025

Head Boys Jr. Varsity Basketball Coach

Cardozo High School
03.1998 - 04.2020

Sports And Entertainment Management

Grand Canyon University

Some College (No Degree) - General Studies

Catholic University

Associates Of General Studies - General Studies

Olney College

Some College (No Degree) - General Studies

Cloud County College

High School Diploma -

Spingarn High School

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Rob Nickens