President's Corner

Grambling State University honored Doris Robinson, the wife of legendary Coach Eddie Robinson, with a Celebration of Life service in T.H. Harris Auditorium on Sept. 24. Mrs. Robinson, who passed away at the age of 96, was fondly remembered by her friends, family and loved ones as the First Lady of Football, the Matriarch of Grambling Athletics, and the First Lady of Fashion, as she was dubbed by longtime friend, Pauline Lee.

“Now most people talk about Doris as the first lady of football. She was also the first lady of fashion. If you wanted to keep up with the latest style or fashion, all you had to do was check what Doris was wearing, and Doris knew when she looked good,” Lee said, who recalled how Mrs. Robinson was a devoted family woman who welcomed many people into her family.

“Our relationship grew because our husbands were football coaches, and boy did we have a lot to talk about,” Lee said. “A family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs, the ones that accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and love you no matter what. Growing up in Grambling was special. You always felt that you were automatically a member of most families, and I surely consider myself a member of the Robinson family.”

Grambling alumnus James “Shack” Harris remembered Mrs. Robinson as a caring woman who wanted the best for the student athletes at Grambling State University.

“She really cared about us, cared about the team, cared about us as students and always welcomed us,” Harris said. “I have nothing but respect for the Robinsons. We were lucky to have the opportunity to come to Grambling and have them be a part of our lives.”

Wilbert Ellis, former head baseball coach at Grambling State University, described Mrs. Robinson as a passionate woman, loving person and inspiring teacher who touched the lives of so many people. He recalled the first time he met Mrs. Robinson as a student at Lincoln High School.

“I first met her at Lincoln High School. The most beautiful person you would want to see came into our classroom and said I am your teacher. She had a lot of bad boys, including me, and she told us, if you don’t behave yourself, I am going to tell my husband, Eddie. When we saw the picture of Eddie, we were quiet and humble, and we knew she meant business,” Ellis said.

Grambling alumnus Willis Reed recalled how Mrs. Robinson was a very positive person who was the perfect partner for Coach Robinson.

“She was the right hand. She was the person standing behind him, always encouraging him,” Reed said. “Eddie went home some nights, he had bad days. He would never let us see. I think she was the reason for that. She had that thing about her of being so positive. You never saw her down. I never heard her say something negative about anything or anyone. She always presented herself in a very positive way, and I think that was always good for her and for Eddie.​”

Doris Inez Mott was born on May 2, 1919, to John and Lillian Mott in Wilson, Louisiana. She met the love of her life, Eddie Robinson, in eighth grade. Upon graduating from McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, she attended Southern University from 1936 to 1938 and later graduated from Leland College in 1941. She married Eddie Robinson on June 24, 1941, and the newlyweds moved to Grambling that year.

Mrs. Robinson was a dedicated educator, having taught at Friendship and Lincoln Elementary Schools and Lincoln High School. After Lincoln closed due to integration, she continued her career at Ruston High School as a guidance counselor.

Mrs. Robinson is survived by five devoted grandchildren, Sharon Robinson Moore, Cheryl Robinson Clifton, Eddie Robinson, III, Michael Watkins and Cherie Watkins Kirkland; and their spouses and children: Michael Moore, Charles Clifton, Stacey Watkins, Sean Moore, Quentin Burrell, Jalen Clifton, Eddie Robinson IV, Chloe Robinson, Brandon West, Brittni Watkins, Michael Watkins II, Channing Kirkland and Andriana West.