[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO POLK ROBISON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this time to 
remember Polk Robison, a lifelong supporter of District 19's Texas Tech 
University. Mr. Robison passed away June 27, 2008, at the age of 96.
  Polk Robison was best known for his service to Texas Tech Athletics, 
where he was a champion basketball player, coach, and athletic 
director. Mr. Robison's devotion to his alma mater helped push Texas 
Tech Athletics into the Southwest and Big 12 Conferences and into the 
national spotlight.
  Born in Springfield, Tennessee, Mr. Robison and his family moved to 
Texas when he was 14. He graduated from Lubbock High School and then 
from Texas Tech in 1934, earning not only a degree in journalism, but 
also three consecutive Border Conference basketball championships as a 
center.
  Mr. Robison's love of sports led to an early career in coaching 
football at Burkburnett High School, which soon turned to working for 
General Motors in Houston. His passion for athletics and Texas Tech 
brought him back to the university in 1941 as an assistant football and 
basketball coach. The following year, Mr. Robison moved into the head 
basketball coach position and remained there for 18 seasons, 
accumulating a record of 249-196, three Border Conference titles, and a 
Southwest Conference championship--ranking him second in all-time 
victories of any Texas Tech coach.
  His talents extended beyond the basketball program. Mr. Robison 
served a short stint as the university's tennis coach, leading the team 
to a Southwest Conference championship.
  He made a gradual change into a ten-year career as Texas Tech's 
athletic director and retired in 1977 while serving as the athletics 
administrator for finance and development. He continued to attend Red 
Raider basketball games until he was 95.
  Mr. Robison's devotion overflowed to the community. He served the 
Lubbock Rotary Club for 40 years, and the Westminster Presbyterian 
Church named its park in honor of Mr. Robison, a church elder, and his 
wife, Stephanie.
  His student jersey number--appropriately, the number one--hangs 
retired in the university's United Spirit Arena. Former head basketball 
coach Bob Knight permanently designated a Polk Robison chair next to 
the team's bench at every home game, bearing the name of this 
university legend.
  Mr. Robison cared deeply for his family: his wife, the late Stephanie 
Corley Robison and his three children, Bill, Kay, and Anne. He also 
made a lasting impression on his players for his professionalism, 
caring nature, and motivation. He enjoyed seeing them not only grow as 
athletes, but grow into men.
  Those from District 19, including myself, will miss Mr. Robison's 
enthusiasm for life, dedication to improvement, and tenacity in making 
Texas Tech a respected and outstanding institution.

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