Robinson Museum debut: ‘Words just can’t describe this’

A lifesize bronze statue of Eddie Robinson towered over a group of busy workers on Friday, as they feverishly worked to complete exhibits, shine old trophies, straighten and sweep inside the emerging Robinson Museum.

Even though there is still work to be done, organizers say, a grand opening event for the long-awaited exhibit space to honor Grambling State’s record-smashing former coach will go forward Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the former GSU women’s gymnasium.

“We’ve waited for this day, and it’s become a reality,” said Eddie Robinson Jr., who played for and coached with his father at GSU. “Words just can’t describe this right now. I’m going to have to pinch myself to realize I am really here.”

Robinson, who coached at Grambling from 1941-97, died at age 88 in 2007. This project was first approved by the Louisiana Legislature in 1999.

So there was as much jubilation as relief for long-time museum supporters like Wilbert Ellis, the former Grambling baseball coach and athletic administrator, when he talked about the project’s “trials and tribulations, the ups and the downs.”

Even before the Friday unveiling of the Robinson statue, 10 years of fits and starts for this effort came to a symbolic end at Grambling’s exit on the interstate: New signs have been erected that direct visitors to the long-delayed museum.

Arguments over location, and years of funding struggles, have finally been brushed aside to celebrate the town’s most recognizable export: Robinson — smasher of racial barriers, winner of games — more, in fact, than any other football coach in NCAA Division I history — and molder of men.

“We are calling this the Eddie Robinson Museum,” interim Grambling president Frank Pogue said, “but the city of Grambling, the state of Louisiana and the United States must be considered the Eddie Robinson Museum, because of his tremendous impact.”

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, with the late coach’s family and friends, unveiled the Robinson statue on Friday to a round of happy applause. The gathering began two days of events surrounding the long-awaited grand-opening of the museum, officially set for 10 a.m. Saturday inside the 18,000-square foot facility.

Later Friday, a sold-out corporate benefit banquet drew around 1,000 supporters, former players and Grambling products, who heard remarks from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.

Dardenne estimated that the museum will be about 80 percent completed when the doors open Saturday morning.

“This is a process and there have been a lot of people who have been responsible for bringing us to this day,” said Dardenne, whose office will oversee the daily operation of the museum. “There is a lot more work to be done, but the long-awaited tribute and recognition to this great American is at hand.”

Surrounding the statue are landmarks from throughout Robinson’s life, both personal and professional. Visitors walk through a replica of the Temple theater near Robinson’s home in Baton Rouge where a biographical film details his meteoric rise from sharecropper’s son to friend of presidents.

Audio, video and printed material relate the highlights of six decades in football, including 408 victories, and a winning percentage of .844. Each of Grambling’s more than 200 pro football players is highlighted on a wall in the museum, a list that runs from Glenn Alexander to Coleman Zeno — with four Pro Football Hall of Famers, Ernie Ladd, James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams in between.

Elsewhere, Robinson’s College Football Hall of Fame plaque is spotlighted, as are his conference championship trophies — Robinson led Grambling to 17 of them in football — and other honors. The museum will also house game plans, film from signature contests, personal correspondence and other momentos.

There are personal touches, too. Robinson’s home office has been transferred from the modest brick home on Adams Street in Grambling. A new meeting and dining hall has been christened in honor of his wife, Doris — called “the First Lady of Football” by Ellis.

“I don’t know of a greater day in America,” Ellis said. “He gave so much, touched so may lives, did so many things, walked among kings and queens — yet he was still Eddie Robinson. As we celebrate and give honor and tribute to this great man, we recognize that so many people have been touched by this man — not just on the football field but on this campus. He would always take time to talk. He was that kind of man.”