He played at the halfback and quarterback positions for the University of Michigan from 1941 to 1942 and, after serving as a heavy bomber pilot during World War II, from 1945 to 1946.
[2] On October 11, 1941, Robinson scored a touchdown in a 40-0 victory over the Pitt Panthers on his first carry as a college football player.
[3][4] The Michiganensian reported: "In this game the spectators got their initial glimpse of triple-threat Don Robinson who in his first running attempt in collegiate competition shook off two would-be tacklers and scored the fifth Michigan marker of the afternoon.
"[6] On February 22, 1943, Robinson enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces for the duration of World War II.
He was a leader in raising approximately $15 million in funds for Schembechler Hall and the University of Michigan Golf Course.
He also served on the board of National Bank and Trust Company and as president of the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce and of the Barton Hills Country Club.