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“Courts to Glory: The Journey of Coach Bill Robinson”

BY C.Y. Peters

STAR CORRESPONDENT

May 18, 2024, will mark a momentous occasion in the history of Carter County as Milligan University hosts the prestigious Carter County Sports Hall of Fame ceremony.  Coach Bill Robinson will step onto the stage to share his remarkable journey in the world of college basketball.

 Bill Robinson’s coaching odyssey began in Carter County in the 2009-10 season when he took the reins at Milligan University. Little did anyone know that this would mark the beginning of a transformative era for the college’s basketball program. In his first two years, Robinson’s players achieved remarkable success, bagging numerous individual awards, including an All-American honorable mention, four All-AAC performers, the Defensive Player of the Year, and Freshman of the Year.

 Prior to his stint at Milligan, Robinson’s coaching skills had already left an indelible mark on the collegiate basketball landscape. With a twelve-year tenure at Montreat College, he amassed over 200 victories as the head coach. Before Montreat, Robinson etched his name in the record books by becoming the youngest head coach in the nation at the age of 25 when he took over the reins at LeTourneau University in Texas.

 The turnaround at LeTourneau was nothing short of extraordinary. In just three years, Robinson transformed a struggling basketball program into a formidable force. The 1996-97 season saw them achieve a 14-13 record, marking their only winning season in the past two decades. Robinson’s strategic brilliance and leadership skills were evident as he guided his team to unprecedented success.

 A 1991 graduate of The King’s College in New York, Robinson’s journey into coaching was foreshadowed by his stellar career as a two-sport college athlete. Competing in both basketball and baseball, he garnered accolades, including being named to the men’s basketball NCCAA All-American team in his junior and senior years. His senior year was particularly illustrious, earning him the NAIA Conference MVP, All-American honorable mention, and the prestigious Pete Maravich award as the NCCAA’s most outstanding player.

 Hailing from Ocean City, New Jersey, Robinson’s passion for sports ignited during his high school years at Atlantic Christian School. A varsity standout in soccer, basketball, and baseball, he accumulated an impressive 12 varsity letters. His leadership qualities shone through as he served as team captain and received the team MVP in all three sports.

 Beyond the courts and fields, Robinson’s personal life reflected his commitment to family. Married to Barb, the couple raised three children – son Will (1995), and daughters Sarah (1997) and Rachel (1999). Their unwavering support undoubtedly played a crucial role in Robinson’s ability to balance the demands of coaching and family life.

 Coach Bill Robinson will stand on the stage at Milligan University, recounting the highs and lows of his coaching career; his journey is not just about winning games but about shaping lives and fostering a love for the game. His legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those he coached and the communities he has touched, leaving an enduring impact on the world of collegiate basketball. The 2024 Carter County Sports Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at Sutton Hall on the Milligan University campus on May 18 at 6:00 pm.  Tickets will go on sale March 1st.