Achieving Life Success

I received an e-mail from Eddie Robinson, and then

asked him to provide a few more thoughts for posting on the site. Eddie was as classy as they come at Franklin and anyone who knows him is thrilled for his success. I feel it's

important that kids read his thoughts, especially those who feel

that the deck is stacked against them. Eddie may be reached at ed.robinson@bakeru.edu . I thank him so much for his time and effort on this!!

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Ted: How are you? I hope you remember me (Eddie

Robinson). Just to refresh your memory, I played basketball for Ben Franklin H.S.

from 1982-83 with Rico Washington, Pooh Richardson, etc... I hope

all is well with you. Ted, I was writing to see if you would be interested in this: I have been named Dean of Students at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas (15 minutes from the University of Kansas -- Jayhawk Country). I was named All-American at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (at that time they were NAIA Division II, they are now NCAA Division III). I was also invited to the Charlotte Hornets' rookie Camp in 1988. I would love for all of the young athletes coming up who are aspiring to play professional sports or become great athletes to see there's another side to life, and that their development that needs more attention. I was one of the fortunate ones growing up in

Philly to have had many great mentors such as Haviland (Biff) Harper, Sonny Hill, and

Ken "Ham" Hamilton to name a few. They used the game of

basketball as a mechanism to teach me about life and how to get the most out of

it. I don't know how many athletes since the early 80's are serving

as deans, vice-presidents or presidents at the university level,

but for me it is such an accomplishment and hopefully an encouragement to

high school student-athletes. It has been said that the first ingredient of success is to dream a great dream. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. However, in order to see any dream become a reality, you must "commit" yourself to

putting the necessary time, effort and planning into accomplishing your dream. You must have a plan, for without one you will more than likely fail. Lastly, never forsake the importance of a good education. When you cease to learn, you in essence cease to become that which you were destined to become. I really feel that kids (inner-city kids especially) need to know there is another way to get ahead. I loved my experiences as an athlete and wouldn't trade them for anything. However, very few people make it to the professional level. When I was let go by the Charlotte Hornets, it

didn't bother me as much because I went straight to graduate school to get my

Masters Degree, thereby having a plan outside of basketball. I know you know

all of this, but this message can't be told enough. Ted, I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to respond and also appreciated growing up in Philly reading your sports articles. Every athlete in Philly looked forward to your articles.

Here's a story I wrote about Eddie in March of 1982,

his junior season . . .

Robinson Rejoins Franklin Family Ed

Robinson's basketball career took a giant step forward between the start of his sophomore year and the three-fourths mark of his junior year. Last Thursday, however, as Benjamin Franklin ousted West

Philadelphia from the Public League playoffs, it appeared as if Robinson's gradual backward slide was gaining momentum. Ed played only 11 minutes in the 54-53 win, including none

in the second half. His contributions were limited to no points and one rebound. "We have seen that a few times before," said

Coach Ken Hamilton, laughing. "We call that 'underclassmanitis.' "Young kids go out there blind and spend most of the

season taking what comes. Everything's great. Then it gets late in the season. We're playing one big game after another. They start to think, 'My goodness. Look where I am.'" LAST SATURDAY, Ed Robinson's place was back in the thick of

things as Franklin deflated Olney, 80-69, in a Palestra-based

semi to ensure a berth in the finals for the fourth consecutive year. This time, Ed's vital numbers were 28 minutes, 10 points and nine rebounds. "I didn't lose any confidence because of the West

game," Robinson said. " I was happy that (soph) Brian Smith got some playing time and helped us win. I knew it would help his confidence and help us overall." Mini-setbacks are nothing new to Robinson, the last cut

from Vince Trombetta's JV. "I maintained a good attitude and refused to give

up," Ed said. " I told myself I would be ready for next season's tryouts. I played recreation ball and joined a team in the Future League." It was there that a Franklin fan noticed Ed's improvement

and placed a call to Hamilton. "Ham didn't even know me, but he came to a game one

night," Ed said. " He asked me to join their Venice Island summer team, although they had already played two games. "I KNEW I HAD a good chance of making the team. I was

surprised and happy when Ham let me start. Ham would have preferred using a senior, but that didn't work out. He said I was the most mature junior." "Rebounding. That was what I wanted from Ed,"

Hamilton said. "I also liked his maturity. Most days, he comes off as a very settled young man. He reminds me of Vaughn Coats ( '79 star now at Rider ) . Ed's an excellent student and that always helps." Franklin's starters all hit double figures and combined for

all of the points. Smith and Warfield collected 10 rebounds each. Ronald Barnett, the steal of the season for a good Division II school (perhaps as George Melton's replacement at Cheyney), totaled 21 points and 21 rebounds for Olney. Guards Anthony McFadden, a junior, and John Green, Faison's sophomore cousin, drilled 16 and 18 points. "Know what? The kid who told me about Robinson was up

in the stands," Hamilton said. " He said that I was lunchin', that I should have given him a ticket. He's probably right."

@@@ ev 20010328: Indent text WAS By TED SILARY Ed Robinson's basketball career took a giant step forward between the start of his sophomore year and the three-fourths mark of his junior year. Last Thursday, however, as Benjamin Franklin ousted West Philadelphia from the Public League playoffs, it appeared as if Robinson's gradual backward slide was gaining momentum. Ed played only 11 minutes in the 54-53 win, including none in the second half. His contributions were limited to no points and one rebound. " We have seen that a few times before," said Coach Ken Hamilton, laughing. " We call that 'underclassmanitis.' " Young kids go out there blind and spend most of the season taking what comes. Everything's great. Then it gets late in the season. We're playing one big game after another. They start to think, 'My goodness. Look where I am.' " LAST SATURDAY, Ed Robinson's place was back in the thick of things as Franklin deflated Olney, 80-69, in a Palestra-based semi to ensure a berth in the finals for the fourth consecutive year. This time, Ed's vital numbers were 28 minutes, 10 points and nine rebounds. " I didn't lose any confidence because of the West game," Robinson said. " I was happy that ( soph ) Brian Smith got some playing time and helped us win. I knew it would help his confidence and help us overall." Mini-setbacks are nothing new to Robinson, the last cut from Vince Trombetta's JV. " I maintained a good attitude and refused to give up," Ed said. " I told myself I would be ready for next season's tryouts. I played recreation ball and joined a team in the Future League." It was there that a Franklin fan noticed Ed's improvement and placed a call to Hamilton. " Ham didn't even know me, but he came to a game one night," Ed said. " He asked me to join their Venice Island summer team, although they had already played two games. " I KNEW I HAD a good chance of making the team. I was surprised and happy when Ham let me start. Ham would have preferred using a senior, but that didn't work out. He said I was the most mature junior." " Rebounding. That was what I wanted from Ed," Hamilton said. " I also liked his maturity. Most days, he comes off as a very settled young man. He reminds me of Vaughn Coats ( '79 star now at Rider ) . Ed's an excellent student and that always helps." Franklin's starters all hit double figures and combined for all of the points. Smith and Warfield collected 10 rebounds each. Ronald Barnett, the steal of the season for a good Division II school (perhaps as George Melton's replacement at Cheyney), totaled 21 points and 21 rebounds for Olney. Guards Anthony McFadden, a junior, and John Green, Faison's sophomore cousin, drilled 16 and 18 points. " Know what? The kid who told me about Robinson was up in the stands, " Hamilton said. " He said that I was lunchin', that I should have given him a ticket. He's probably right." high school