RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Senator Robbins among honorees at banquet

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will honor eight men at its banquet April 28 at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, Pa.
The purpose of the banquet is to honor and recognize people for their years of commitment as positive role models to student-athletes.
The Mercer County honorees are Neal Lineman, Dave Clelland and state Senator Robert D. Robbins. Robbins will be recognized as the "Outstanding American from the state of Pennsylvania," while Lineman and Clelland will receive "Lifetime Achievement Awards," along with the other honorees, Tom Canavan, Edward Onortato, Art Steves, Jack Sinnott and Tom Carr.
Several weeks ago, in this column, Lineman was featured. Today we are highlighting Bob Robbins.
Bob Robbins has touched many lives. From the wrestling room at Greenville High School, to the jungles of Vietnam, to the halls of the Pennsylvania Legislature, he has encountered many.
State champion: A 1962 graduate of Greenville High School, Robbins wrestled for the late Dave Clelland and won the 127-pound PIAA state championship his senior year. Following his graduation, he continued his wrestling career at West Point.
At West Point, he was a freshman Eastern Wrestling Champion (at that time freshmen were barred from NCAA varsity competition) and won an Eastern Championship in 1966. He was a two-time NCAA place-winner (sixth in 1965 and fifth in 1966) and was recognized with All-American status both years.
Following his commission as an officer, Robbins served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. The first was an infantry company commander in the 101st Airborne Division. He also served as a senior advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
While in the service, Robbins won the 1967 All-U.S. Army championship and also won the Inner Service Freestyle title in 1967. He also won the 101st Airborne Division Cross County and 2-mile championship that same year.
He received the Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings and the Combat Infantry Badge and was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Heroism, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medals for Meritorious Service, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and Army Commendations for Meritorious Service.
Following undergraduate and post-graduate, work at Duquesne University and a number of the other learning institutions, he returned to Greenville High School as a Social Studies teacher and succeeded his mentor, Clelland, as wrestling coach.
Coached at Greenville: During his tenure as Trojan coach, Robbins' teams put together a 44-1 record and he coached four PIAA State finalists and three state championships, including Greenville's first two-time champ, Steve Riley. His third champion, Norman Walker, was the first Pennsylvania high school wrestler to win 100 career matches.
We're not going to delve into Robbins' political career, however, it is just as remarkable as his wrestling past. He at one time served as President of the PIAA District X Coaches Association and was President of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Federation (now USA Wrestling) form 1978-84.
He was an assistant coach with the Pa. Wrestling Federation and served as head coach from 1977-84, coaching 13 Junior National champs. In 1983 he coached the Greco team to the National Championship, led the Freestyle team to second place in the nation and was named U.S. Wrestling Federation Man of the Year.
He was elected into the Pa. Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995 and is also a member of the Mercer County Athletic Association's Hall of Fame.