• Photo of Tom Robinson with unidentified peopleTom Robinson

    Tom Robinson was the first African American head football coach at Academy High School, where he also coached boys' and girls' golf. 

    His four-year record (5-30-1) wasn't something he celebrated but, in a Nov. 16, 1973 interview published in the Erie Daily Times announcing his resignation from the position, he was proud of something more important that he accomplished. 

    "The key to my being hired in the first place was to get more Black boys out for football and help solidify morale at Academy. As far as accomplishing this, I think I've succeeded." 

    Photo credit: Erie Times-News/GoErie.com