[1] Robinson, who is a member of seven athletic halls of fame, was also the first black high school coach in Michigan, winning two state championships in basketball.

Robinson led his football team to an undefeated, unscored upon season, and finished second in the state golf tournament despite not being allowed on the course with the white players.

He was also the captain of both the golf and football teams and also played baseball and ran track, the only player in state history to letter in five sports.

Because of racial segregation in West Virginia, Robinson was forced to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan, earning a master's in physical education.

[4] After finishing graduate school, Robinson still could not find a job, and returned to Steubenville, and later began coaching at a YMCA in nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He was chosen as the person to calm an uneasy racial situation due to race riots in the city the previous summer.