Grambling opens museum to honor ‘Coach Rob’

Created on Wednesday, 17 February 2010 10:30 Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:20 Published on Wednesday, 17 February 2010 10:30 Written by Associated Press Hits: 1126

An 18,000-square-foot museum honoring the coach, who died in 2007, will open on the Grambling campus Saturday.

The building will house many of the awards, plaques and honors Robinson received during his 57-year tenure. The museum also will showcase more than 200 players Robinson coached who went on to pro careers, including Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, who was Super Bowl MVP in 1988.

GUEST SPEAKER —Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was the guest speaker at the dedication banquet Feb. 12. He also gave a few words at the ribbon-cutting Feb. 13.

“This all came out of a promise I made Rob before he died,” said Wilbert Ellis, who coached the Grambling baseball team for 43 years and was Robinson’s longtime friend. “I told him we’d get this done, but sometime even I wondered how.”

A number of dignitaries, including U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, as well as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and new Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, will be on hand for the official opening.

Robinson’s 408 career victories are second among coaches at any level.

“You know,” Ellis said, “he walked with presidents and kings, but he was always a humble man. He always saw himself as a football coach and a proud American. I think this museum shows that.”