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For 26 years, Pete Robinson was the only wrestling coach in Old Dominion Universityhistory. In those 26 years of coaching, Robinson developed two nationally ranked teams in1969 and 1974, as well as 12 Division II All-Americans and Four Division I All-Americans.By the time he retired at the conclusion of the 1983 season, he had compiled 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. All three are inductees ofthe Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, five of Robinson's wrestlers were NCAAEast Regional champions and ten were Virginia Intercollegiate State Champions. In 1981-82,Old Dominion won the NCAA East Regional and send four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in Ames, Iowa.
Recognized and respected nationally for his coaching, Robinson has served as a member of the National Rules Committee of the NCAA and as director for several post-season tournaments. At the 1983 NCAA National Championships in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Robinson was honored by the National Coaches Wrestling Association for his 25 years ofcoaching.
Robinson also coached golf at Old Dominion for 13 years. His most outstanding golferwas J.P. Leigh, who earned NCAA All-American honors in 1969 and is a 1984 ODU Hall ofFame inductee.
Prior to joining the staff here at Old Dominion, Robinson spent six years at NewportNews High School as an assistant coach in football, basketball and baseball. He served as aninstructor in the Old Dominion Health and Physical Education department.
Robinson passed away on Dec. 23, 2003 at the age of 82.