Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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Athletics 111

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ATHLETICS Eddie Robinson TP Track (Women) — 159 Bands Fans 124 Tennis (Men) 162 ESPN 125 Tennis (Women) 165 Sports Roundup 126 Daphane Piper 167 Wellness Day | 128 Softball 168 Slam 3-Pointer 129 Golf 172 Football 130 Powerlifting 172 Playoffs 144 Baseball 174 Honors | 145 Gold-White Clinic 178 Meet Bowling 146 Football Banquet 179 Basketball (Women) 147 Spring Banquet 180 Basketball (Men) 152 Intramural Football 182 Track (Men) 156 Intramural Basketball 183 New Cage Coach 184 110 Athletics | enc a ee |

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Than Eddie Robinson Nobody Does It Better Nineteen eight-five will be remembered as the year a Tiger overpowered two Bears. More precisely, it was the year coach Eddie Robinson sur- passed Paul ‘‘Bear’’ Bryant’s collegiate win mark of 324 and three weeks later jumped. ahead of “‘Papa Bear’’ Halas’ com- bined collegiate professional record. There is an old saying that goes, “‘Nothing good ever comes easy,” and Eddie’s record-breaking feat certainly didn’t occur overnight. It took 44 years of hard work before the legendary mentor became the winningest coach in collegiate football history. The story dates back to the early 1940s when President R.W.E. Jones hired Robinson to lead his Grambling (Louisiana Negro Normal Institute) Tigers. “‘Prez’’ found Rob working for 25 cents an hour in a Baton Rouge feed mill. During his first year as a Tiger, Eddie drew $63.75 a month and laid the ground work for his next 43 successful years of coaching. “I always wanted to be a football coach since the third grade,”’ revealed Coach Robinson. ‘‘But had it not been for ‘Prez,’ who knows where I might be today.” Now, the entire world knows about Eddie. Recordwise, the Grambling mentor now has 329 victories, 108 losses and 15 ties. He’s followed by Halas’ collegiate pro mark of 326-150-31 and Bryant’s 323-85-17. Amos Alonza Stagg is next with a record of 314-199-85 and Glenn ‘“‘Pop” Warner follows with a 313-106-32 slate. Eddie’s record stands a good chance of never being broken - since it’s highly unlikely anyone will be able to endure 44 years of successful coaching at the same institution. In addition, the Baton Rouge native still has several years remaining before he even considers retirement. So, historians, don’t close the record books yet! Eddie offers advice during game in the early ’60s. Network television announcers interview the GSU mentor. “Bear” Bryant attends GSU football banquet in mid-’70s. 112 Robinson