Dec. 24, 2003
NORFOLK, VA.-- Pete Robinson, ODU's wrestling coach from 1957-1983, where he developedthree individual national champions, 12 Division II All-Americans and four DivisionI All-AllAmericans passed away on Dec. 23 at the age of 82. When he retired in 1983he had comiled a 172-133-7 record.
Three of Robinson's wrestlers, Carl Ragland (1969), Wayne Bright (1970), and TerryPerdew (1974) won NCAA Division II National Championships in their respective weightclasses and are all inductees in the ODU Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition, five of Robinson's wrestlers were NCAA Eastern Regional Champions and tenwere Virginia Intercollegiate State Champions. In 1981-82, ODU won the NCAA East Regionalchampionship, and four wrestlers advanced to the NCAA National Championships in Ames, Iowa.
Recognized and respected nationally for his coaching, Robinson served as a member ofthe National Rules Committee of the NCAA and as director for several post-season tournaments.
Robinson also coached golf at ODU for 13 years. His most outstanding golfer was J.P. Leighwho earned College Division All-American honors in 1969 and was inducted into the ODUSports Hall of Fame in 1984.
Robinson served as an instructor in the ODU health and physical education departmentfrom 1957-83. He was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Wilma Salmon Robinson, his daughters EvelynRobinson, of Norfolk, and Ann Robinson Perez and her husband Alan of Atlanta, GA., hisson Bill and wife Carol of Virginia Beach, his sister, Virginia Robinson Navey of Charlotte, NC. Pete and Wilma have four grandchildren.
Robinson was born in Greenwood, MS. He graduated from Springfield College in Massachusettsand earned a Master's degree in education from the College of William and Mary. He is aNavy veteran of World War II (Pacific theatre).
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 in Larchmont Baptist Church.Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at theH.D. Oliver Funreral Apartments, Norfolk Chapel, Monday from 7-8 p.m.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Palmer Home, BOx 746, Columbus, Miss 39703;ODU Wrestling; Larchmont Baptist Church or the charity of the donors choice.