Office of Media Relations
Phone: (318) 274-2418
Fax: (318) 274-3330
For Immediate Release: April 4, 2007
Grambling State University Remembers Coach Eddie Robinson
February 13, 1919 - April 3, 2007
Grambling,
Louisiana – Surrounded by family and friends, former Grambling
State University football coach, Eddie G. Robinson, Sr. passed Tuesday,
April 3, 2007 at Northern Louisiana Medical Center (formerly Lincoln General
Hospital) in Ruston, Louisiana after a lengthy illness.
Robinson is known as the giant of college football and especially among
historically Black Colleges and Universities. He came to Grambling in 1941
and coached at the institution until his retirement in 1997. Robinson won
17 championships in his conference (SWAC), held the championship title 9
times for Black Colleges and creatively established a streak of 27 consecutive
winning seasons 1960-86.
"The University, state and nation have lost an extraordinarily great
person. Truly one of a kind. It is impossible to measure fully the impact
of Coach Robinson's life. As remarkable as his achievements in football
were, his impact off the field was perhaps even more important. He touched,
shaped and inspired the lives of so many. His sterling example and great
positiveness influenced the whole nation. Coach Robinson was a great American.
As long as Grambling State University exists, as long as football is played,
as long as Americans remain patriotic, Coach Rob's spirit will live. That
is a special kind of immortality only very special people can attain. We
are deeply saddened by his passing and we will miss him. But we will celebrate
his life with great joy and gratitude. Our hearts and best wishes are with
his wife, Doris and his family," said Dr. Horace A. Judson, GSU President.
Final Rites Services
- Coach Eddie G. Robinson will lie in state Monday, April 9, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Louisiana State Capitol (Rotunda). A brief memorial program hosted by Governor Blanco and the Louisiana Legislature will be at 5:00 p.m., open to the public.
- Tuesday evening: Family Hour (which will include a special service by
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.), 7 to 9 at New Rocky Valley Baptist
Church
2155 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.
Grambling, Louisiana - Wednesday morning: 11:00, Funeral Service, Grambling (new) Assembly
Center which is in front of Robinson Stadium
followed by the burial at Grambling Memorial Gardens, Hwy. 80
In lieu of flowers, it is the Robinson family’s wishes that donations be made to the Friends of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. Those wishing to contribute may call 1-866-WINS-408 or log on to www.robinsonmuseum.com and donate online. Contributors may also mail a donation to the Friends of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum at P.O. Box 550 Grambling, LA 71245.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: MILLER FUNERAL HOME AT (318) 388-3000.
