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Will Robinson, born William Joseph Robinson, was a trailblazing athlete, coach, and scout. Robinson was born in North Carolina and grew up in Ohio, where he excelled in football and golf. After graduating from West Virginia State College, he earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Michigan due to racial segregation in West Virginia. Robinson's coaching career began at a YMCA in Pittsburgh, where he won several city basketball championships. He went on to become the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I basketball when he was hired by Illinois State University in 1970. Robinson's legacy includes his work as a scout for the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Lions, as well as his induction into multiple halls of fame. Robinson died in 2008 at the age of 96, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Joseph "Will" Robinson |
| Date of Birth | June 3, 1911 |
| Place of Birth | Wadesboro, North Carolina |
| Died | April 28, 2008, aged 96 |
| Alma Mater | West Virginia State College, University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Athlete, Educator, Coach |
| Achievements | First African-American head coach in NCAA Division I basketball, member of seven athletic halls of fame |
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What You'll Learn
Wil Robinson's career at West Virginia University
Wil Robinson, born Wilbert Robinson, Jr., is a West Virginia University (WVU) men's basketball icon. Hailing from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Robinson was a 6-foot-1, 170-pound point guard who left an indelible mark on WVU's basketball history in the early 1970s.
Robinson's stellar career at WVU began as a freshman, where he led the frosh team in scoring (21.6 average), free-throw percentage (821.1), and assists (42). As a sophomore, he continued his dominance, leading the Mountaineers in minutes played (929), field goals (216-495), free-throw attempts (88 of 114), total points (520), and scoring average (20.0). This made him the only sophomore, aside from Rod Hundley, to average 20 points in WVU's history. Robinson's impressive performances earned him a spot on the All-Tournament team in the Sugar Bowl Classic, where he scored 53 points in two games.
Robinson's junior year cemented his status as an All-American candidate. He was named by Basketball Extra magazine as one of the top 50 players in the nation. He once again led the Mountaineers in field goals (120-148), free-throw percentage (81.1), and total points (624), while also boasting a remarkable scoring average of 25.0.
By the time Robinson entered his senior year, he had left a lasting impression on the court. Over his three-year career at WVU, he racked up 1,850 points, placing him third all-time among the university's scoring leaders. Robinson's scoring prowess broke Jerry West's long-standing record, as he averaged 24.3 points per game in 1971, the highest single-season average in school history.
Following his time at WVU, Robinson was drafted by both the ABA's Pittsburgh Condors and the NBA's Houston Rockets in 1972. He played for Memphis and Utah for about three and a half years before retiring and pursuing a career in the shoe retail business. Robinson's achievements were recognized with an induction into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
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Post-graduation struggles and racial segregation
After graduating from West Virginia State College in 1937, William Joseph "Will" Robinson struggled to find a job due to racial segregation in West Virginia. He was forced to pursue his graduate studies at the University of Michigan, where he earned a master's degree in physical education or sports education. Despite his qualifications, Robinson still faced challenges in securing employment after completing his master's program.
Robinson's early coaching career began at the YMCA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he found success in coaching basketball. This led to his first high school coaching position at DuSable High School in Chicago in 1943. Robinson's move to Detroit in 1944 marked a significant step in his career. He was hired by Detroit Public Schools to coach at Hiller High School (also known as Miller High School), becoming Detroit's first African-American basketball coach after the 1943 race riots. Robinson's appointment was a strategic move to ease racial tensions in the city.
For the next 16 years, Robinson remained the only black coach in Detroit. He dedicated his career to coaching basketball teams at various high schools, including Cass Technical High School from 1957 to 1960 and Pershing High School from 1960 to 1970, where he achieved notable success. Robinson's impact extended beyond the basketball court; he was committed to his community, hosting an annual coaching clinic that positively influenced countless athletes and coaches in Detroit.
In 1970, Robinson broke another racial barrier when he was hired as the head coach at Illinois State University, becoming the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I basketball history. During his tenure at Illinois State University from 1970 to 1975, he compiled an impressive record, and his impact extended beyond his time there. After his retirement from coaching, Robinson continued to leave his mark on the sport, working as a scout for the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Lions. He discovered and nurtured numerous outstanding athletes who went on to become NBA stars, including Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman. Robinson's contributions to basketball were recognized through numerous accolades, including his induction into seven athletic halls of fame and a lifetime achievement award from the Missouri Valley Conference in 2003.
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Coaching career and achievements
William Joseph "Will" Robinson had a remarkable coaching career, becoming the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I history when he took on the role at Illinois State University in 1970. He faced racial barriers throughout his career and life, being forced to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan due to segregation in West Virginia. However, he persevered and made a profound impact on the sport.
Robinson's first coaching position was at DuSable High School in Chicago in 1943, followed by a move to Detroit in 1944, where he became the city's first African-American basketball coach at Miller High School. Robinson was chosen for this role to help ease racial tensions in the city following the 1943 race riots, and he remained Detroit's only black coach for 16 years. During this time, he also coached at Cass Technical High School (1957-1960) and Pershing High School (1960-1970), winning state basketball championships.
In 1970, Robinson broke new ground again, becoming the first black head coach in NCAA Division I basketball at Illinois State University. During his time at Illinois State, he compiled a record of 78-51 and coached outstanding athletes, including Doug Collins, the school's only consensus All-American and the #1 pick in the 1973 NBA draft. Robinson also discovered Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, who would become key members of the Pistons' championship-winning teams in 1989 and 1990.
After retiring from Illinois State in 1975, Robinson continued to break barriers. He took on a scouting position with the Detroit Pistons, becoming the first Black scout in NFL history for the Detroit Lions, a role he held part-time for 22 years. Robinson worked for the Pistons for 28 years before his retirement in 2003. During his time with the Pistons, he scouted and coached numerous talented athletes, including NBA stars Spencer Haywood, Ralph Simpson, John Salley, and Charlie Sanders.
Robinson's achievements were recognized with numerous awards and inductions into several halls of fame. He received the Bunn Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1982, and is a member of six other halls of fame. Robinson passed away in 2008 at the age of 96, leaving a lasting legacy of inspiration and dedication to the sport.
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Awards and Halls of Fame
William Joseph "Will" Robinson, born on June 3, 1911, in Wadesboro, North Carolina, was a trailblazing athlete, educator, and coach. He attended West Virginia State College, earning 15 letters in four sports, and graduated in 1937. He then earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Michigan due to racial segregation in West Virginia, which prevented him from attending graduate school in his home state.
Robinson's coaching career began at the YMCA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he found success, leading him to his first high school coaching position at DuSable High School in Chicago. In 1943, he became Detroit's first African-American basketball coach at Miller High School (also known as Hiller High School), addressing the city's racial tensions following the 1943 race riots. Robinson was the only Black coach in Detroit for the next 16 years. He went on to coach at Cass Technical High School from 1957 to 1960 and Pershing High School from 1960 to 1970, winning state basketball championships.
In 1970, Robinson broke new ground again, becoming the first African American head coach in NCAA Division I basketball when he joined Illinois State University (ISU). During his time at ISU, he compiled a remarkable record of 78-51 and coached future NBA stars like Doug Collins, the school's consensus All-American and the #1 pick in the 1973 NBA draft. Robinson also discovered Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, pivotal players for the Pistons' championship teams in 1989 and 1990.
After his retirement from coaching in 1975, Robinson continued to leave his mark as a scout for the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Lions, becoming the first Black scout in NFL history. His contributions were recognized with numerous awards and inductions into various halls of fame.
Robinson received the Bunn Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. He is also a member of several other halls of fame, including the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and the Fayette County (Pennsylvania) Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Missouri Valley Conference, and the Pistons renamed their Palace of Auburn Hills locker room the "Will Robinson Locker Room of Champions."
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Personal life and death
William Joseph "Will" Robinson was born on June 3, 1911, in Wadesboro, North Carolina, and grew up in Steubenville, Ohio. He attended West Virginia State College, graduating in 1937 with 15 letters in four sports. Robinson then earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Michigan due to racial segregation in West Virginia, which prevented him from attending graduate school in his home state.
After graduating, Robinson returned to Steubenville and began his coaching career at a YMCA in nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He later coached YMCA basketball in Chicago, winning several city championships. This success led to his first high school coaching job at DuSable High School in Chicago. In 1943, he was hired as the head coach at Miller High School in Detroit, becoming the city's first African-American basketball coach. Robinson remained Detroit's only black coach for the next 16 years. He went on to coach at Cass Technical High School from 1957 to 1960 and Pershing High School from 1960 to 1970, winning state basketball championships.
In 1970, Robinson broke new ground again, becoming the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I basketball when he took the helm at Illinois State University. He compiled a record of 78-51 during his tenure, which lasted until his retirement in 1975. Robinson's most notable player during this time was Doug Collins, who became the school's only consensus All-American and the #1 pick in the 1973 NBA draft.
After retiring from coaching, Robinson returned to Detroit and began a long scouting career with the Detroit Pistons, working for the organization for 28 years. He also worked part-time as a scout for the Detroit Lions for 22 years, becoming the first Black scout in NFL history. During his scouting career, Robinson discovered and nurtured numerous outstanding athletes, including NBA stars Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman.
Robinson's remarkable career earned him induction into seven athletic halls of fame, including the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Basketball Hall of Fame's Bunn Award in 1992. He passed away on April 28, 2008, at the age of 96, leaving a lasting legacy of inspiration and dedication in the world of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Robinson, born William Joseph Robinson, was a trailblazing athlete, educator, and coach. He was the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I history when he accepted the position at Illinois State University in 1970. Robinson also scouted for the Detroit Pistons for 28 years and worked for the Detroit Lions as a part-time scout for 22 years.
Will Robinson was a gifted basketball player who led the WVU frosh team in scoring, free-throw percentage, and assists as a freshman. As a sophomore, he led the Mountaineers in minutes played, field goals made and attempted, free throws attempted, total points, and scoring average. He was also named one of the Top Five in the Tri-State by the Pittsburgh Writers Association.
Will Robinson was the first African-American basketball coach in Detroit following the 1943 race riots. He remained the city's only black coach for 16 years. Robinson went on to coach the basketball teams at Cass Technical High School and Pershing High School, winning several state basketball championships.
