Win to give : Flatliner Transport and Brandon Robinson announce major gift to Gee-Gees men’s basketball

Brandon Robinson, describing his competitive fire and motivation to succeed, says he wins to give.

The Gee-Gees men's basketball alumni learned this approach from his family, and from his time in Garnet and Grey. This week he is ready to announce the first major gift made by Flatliner Transport, the company his father started and he now runs with his brother and sister. 

Flatliner Transport will give a total of $100,000 to the Gee-Gees men's basketball program over the next five years, and Robinson says it is a testament to everything he's learned so far about competition, support, and giving back. 

"I loved my five years and the people I was there with," says Brandon who studied sociology and played from 2014 to 2019 in addition to serving as an assistant coach with the team in 2019-2020. "Seeing the progress that's been made since I was there in terms of the support – it's been getting better and better. I also know that as a player, little improvements made a big difference. With this gift, it's going to take that support to a whole other level." 

"I always wanted to give back, even while I was on the team I had that feeling. I didn't know that I would end up taking over my dad's business but I knew that whatever I did, I wanted to be the reason why the Gee-Gees are the standard."

"My dad had built a solid company," says Robinson of Flatliner, the Montreal-based transport logistics company founded in 2003 by Clifton Robinson. "There was a foundation there. My brother and I didn't want to just sit on our laurels. We want to keep growing and expanding and our reason for wanting to win is so that we can continue to give back."   

Brandon and Jamie, who wore the Garnet and Grey during the 2006-07 season, took over Flatliner following Clifton's passing in 2021. "It's really a legacy thing now – as long as Flatliner is here it's a tribute to him." 

"My parents were always very giving," Robinson continues. "They coached in Montreal, helped out when there was a hurricane in Saint Vincent – everyone knows them. The Robinson Family Scholarship is a testament to how they are." Robinson himself has also given time and resources to basketball in Montreal, coaching an inter-city team and providing gym time.

With the Gee-Gees gift, Robinson is clear on his goals. The first order of business will be a major upgrade to the team locker room facility at Montpetit Hall, an amenity which Robinson sees as crucial to student-athlete experience and comfort. 

"We want to help the players, help the program. With the program being so consistently one of the top five basketball programs in the country, I think it's about time that we really got on board and started supporting them."  

And as the Gee-Gees prepare for the playoffs, recently ranked number one in U SPORTS again, Robsinson sees the potential to amplify the impact he is looking to make.

"The timing just couldn't be better. As alumni, sometimes it takes one person to step up and then everyone else sees they can do it too. It's all about legacy – when you leave you want people to remember you for what you did for others. Let's all help now to chip in to keep the program up there." 

Win to give. Give to win.