Polk Robison

Polk Robison
Robison in 1945
Biographical details
BornMay 24, 1912
Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJune 27, 2008(2008-06-27) (aged 96)
Playing career
Basketball
1933–1935Texas Tech
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1942–1946Texas Tech
1947–1961Texas Tech
Football
1943–1948Texas Tech (assistant)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1960–1970Texas Tech
Head coaching record
Overall254–195

Polk Robison (May 24, 1912 – June 27, 2008) was an American collegiate basketball and football coach and college athletics administrator who served as the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team from 1942 to 1946 and again from 1947 to 1961. He served as the university's athletic director from 1961 to 1969.

Student

As a student at Texas Tech, Robison tried out for the football team but did not make the cut. However, he did letter in basketball and tennis. After graduating in 1934, he helped coach football and tennis in the 1940s.[1]

Head basketball coach

Robison coached the Red Raiders basketball teams to their first NCAA tournament appearances—in 1954, 1956, and 1961. His overall record at the school was 254–195.[2]

Athletic director

After stepping down from his coaching position in 1961, Robison served as the athletic director at Texas Tech until 1969.[1] He served two more years on the athletics staff before finally retiring in 1971.

To honor Robison's years of service, the Polk Robison Men's Basketball Hall of Honor was created in 2003. It is located on the north side of the main lobby of United Supermarkets Arena.[3]

Death

Robison died of natural causes on Friday, June 27, 2008 at the age of 96.[4][5]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1942–1946)
1942–43 Texas Tech 13–11 4–5 3rd
1943–44 Texas Tech 5–18 0–3 2nd
1944–45 Texas Tech 10–14 7–6 5th
1945–46 Texas Tech 15–10 7–4 3rd
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1947–1956)
1947–48 Texas Tech 16–12 10–6 2nd
1948–49 Texas Tech 21–9
1949–50 Texas Tech 14–12
1950–51 Texas Tech 14–14 10–6 3rd
1951–52 Texas Tech 14–10 9–5 3rd
1952–53 Texas Tech 12–10 9–5 4th
1953–54 Texas Tech 20–5 11–1 1st NCAA First Round
1954–55 Texas Tech 18–7 9–3 T–1st
1955–56 Texas Tech 13–12 8–4 1st NCAA First Round
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Independent) (1956–1957)
1956–57 Texas Tech 12–11
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Southwest Conference) (1957–1961)
1957–58 Texas Tech 15–8 8–6 T–3rd
1958–59 Texas Tech 15–9 8–6 3rd
1959–60 Texas Tech 10–14 7–7 T–4th
1960–61 Texas Tech 15–10 11–3 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Texas Tech: 252–196 (.563)
Total: 252–196 (.563)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. ^ a b Don Williams - Saluting a Tech legend turned 90 05/24/02
  2. ^ Men's Basketball - Texas Tech Red Raiders :: The Official Athletic Site Archived 2008-04-21 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Tech honors coach, AD Robison
  4. ^ Red Raider Athletics. Tech Icon Robison Passes Away
  5. ^ Marlena Hartz. "Former Tech coach Robison dies". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved June 28, 2008.