Pirates' Robinson Honored By The NCADA
March 27, 2007 | Football
March 27, 2007
by Kevin Travis
Washington Daily News
originally published February 14, 2007
Harold Robinson can talk about football for hours on end.
The Washington native, a former coach and athletic director at Williamston High School, has a gift for gab. But the friendly, outgoing Robinson was left virtually speechless when he heard the news that he was going to be inducted into the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.
Robinson will be joined by Morehead City's Ralph Holloway and Dudley's Doyle Whitfield as members of the 13th class, who will be inducted during a banquet tonight (March 27) at the Wilmington Hilton Riverside. The Hall of Fame will grow to 58 with their membership.
"It's kind of a humbling experience," Robinson said. "When I got the call in September, I didn't know what to say. I'm not usually at a loss for words, but it was a numbing experience.
"This is really a great tribute to the coaches and athletes we've had over the years. It really gives them the compliment. Had it not been for their support, we wouldn't have received all the goals we achieved."
Kevin Roach, a former player of Robinson's at Williamston and a former member of the ECU football team, said he was happy for his former coach.
"I remember him being a father figure to all the players and not just football," Roach said. "He loved everybody. He tried to do everything he could for Williamston athletics."
Elton Coffield, a former player of Robinson's who is now a standout on the Mount Olive College basketball team, had nothing but kinds words to say about Robinson.
"He was a good man," Coffield said. "He always taught us to work hard and never give up."
The NCADA Hall of Fame was established to recognize achievement and excellence for athletic administration. A permanent display honoring the athletic directors' Hall of Fame is located in the offices of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in Chapel Hill.
"No doubt I'm looking forward to it," Robinson said. "A lot of my family will be there for it. My wife (the former Carlotta Pfau) will be there. She really deserves the honor just as much as I do. She really sacrificed so much and let me do what I wanted to do."
Both Robinson and his wife are natives of Washington.
Robinson was one of the state's most successful high school football coaches and athletic directors before he moved to the collegiate ranks, where he is currently the Director of High School Relations at East Carolina University.
A graduate of Washington High School and ECU, Robinson compiled a 239-89 record as the head football coach of the Williamston Tigers. During his 25-year career as football coach and athletic director, Robinson guided his Tigers to two NCHSAA state championships. He also led Williamston to four runner-up finishes, seven conference championships and 16 playoff appearances.
Robinson earned several accolades throughout his career, including being named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1999 and Daily News Coach of the Year in 1982, 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2002.
Robinson has been instrumental with the success of the Shrine Bowl. He led the North Carolina team to a 28-0 win over South Carolina in the 2002 Shrine Bowl.
On the administrative side of things, Robinson directed 25 regional and sectional tournaments for the NCHSAA. He also served on the NCHSAA football advisory committee.
Honors bestowed upon Robinson from the NCSHAA include Special Person Award (1995 and 1997), Outstanding Male Coach (1989/regional 1988), People's Choice Award (2000) and the Citation Award (1994).
Robinson, who was President of the North Carolina Football Coaches Association from 1994-95, served on the Board of Director's for the NCADA from 1985 to 1988 and from 1991 to 1994.
Throughout all his years of coaching and being an athletic director, Robinson said that kids always came first.
"When you start out in coaching, it's for the kids," he said. "It's always about the kids. Later on in life, if you get something like this (Hall of Fame nomination), maybe it feels like you've done some things right. We built a solid program and we always tried to do it the right way."
Robinson surely enjoyed the wins, helping to build solid programs and new facilities, but it's the kids who will always leave a mark with him.
"The most rewarding part of it all isn't the wins and losses," Robinson said. "The most satisfaction you get is to see a kid you haven't seen in years and he comes up and hugs you and thanks you for what you did.
"You're in the kid business. It's always about the kids and it will always be about the kids."
Except tonight, it will finally be about Robinson.
