Lehigh University Athletics
In Memoriam: Mike "Robo" Robinson '80 will always be one of the greats
7/22/2021 5:47:00 PM | Baseball, Men's Soccer
By Josh Liddick, Lehigh Sports Communications
A prodigy on the soccer field, a natural on the baseball diamond and a talented musician to boot, Mike Robinson '80 will always be considered one of the all-time greats.
Known by everyone as "Robo," one of the Lehigh men's soccer program's all-time scoring leaders and member of the Lehigh baseball team, passed away on May 27 at the age of 63.
Robinson had himself a tremendous four-year career as a midfielder in the Engineers' offensive attack led by head coach Tom Fleck and Manny Tavormina in the late 1970's. His 41 career goals were an all-time program record until Andrew Mittendorf '99 broke it with 43 by the end of his career. Robinson currently sits in a tie for second with Mark Forrest '19.
He was a proud product of North Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he got his start in the sport. Additionally, after his playing career at Lehigh, Robinson went on to play professionally for the Philadelphia Fury of the NASL, playing between the years of 1980 and 1982.
Through his time at North, Robinson had many teammates and friends who have looked up to him throughout his life. One in particular, Pat Blessington who went on to play collegiately at St. Joseph's, had nothing but positive words to say about the man he knew and loved so dearly.
"The two words that come to mind when thinking about Robo is loyalty and inspirational," Blessington said. "He is probably the most loyal person I have ever come in contact and was tremendously inspirational. Whenever you had a chance to spend time with Robo, he would just instantly make you feel better about yourself. And as a teammate, he made you feel better as a player. He was tremendously talented, but he was also tremendously selfless.
"On the field, he was the most talented person you ever saw at everything he did. People around him played better when he was on the field, that's the kind of player he was."
Current head coach Dean Koski has had his fair share of legendary players come through his program in the last 29 years, but he knows the ones that came before his tenure are the ones that will continue to leave a legacy long into the future and Robinson is no exception.
"It's always sad to hear about the passing of an alum, particularly at such a young age, and I am certain this has been a very difficult time for Mike's family as it was so unexpected," Koski said. "Mike's legacy as an incredible soccer player in high school, at Lehigh and professionally will always be remembered and being second in career goals at Lehigh is a special distinction. However, everything that I have learned about Mike since his passing speaks to the impact he has had on so many people as a husband, son, father, teammate and friend. I am certain that is the legacy that was most important to Mike."
Robinson, who was a resident of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is survived by his wife Evelyn, his mother and sons Mike and Matthew.
A prodigy on the soccer field, a natural on the baseball diamond and a talented musician to boot, Mike Robinson '80 will always be considered one of the all-time greats.
Known by everyone as "Robo," one of the Lehigh men's soccer program's all-time scoring leaders and member of the Lehigh baseball team, passed away on May 27 at the age of 63.
Robinson had himself a tremendous four-year career as a midfielder in the Engineers' offensive attack led by head coach Tom Fleck and Manny Tavormina in the late 1970's. His 41 career goals were an all-time program record until Andrew Mittendorf '99 broke it with 43 by the end of his career. Robinson currently sits in a tie for second with Mark Forrest '19.
He was a proud product of North Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he got his start in the sport. Additionally, after his playing career at Lehigh, Robinson went on to play professionally for the Philadelphia Fury of the NASL, playing between the years of 1980 and 1982.
Through his time at North, Robinson had many teammates and friends who have looked up to him throughout his life. One in particular, Pat Blessington who went on to play collegiately at St. Joseph's, had nothing but positive words to say about the man he knew and loved so dearly.
"The two words that come to mind when thinking about Robo is loyalty and inspirational," Blessington said. "He is probably the most loyal person I have ever come in contact and was tremendously inspirational. Whenever you had a chance to spend time with Robo, he would just instantly make you feel better about yourself. And as a teammate, he made you feel better as a player. He was tremendously talented, but he was also tremendously selfless.
"On the field, he was the most talented person you ever saw at everything he did. People around him played better when he was on the field, that's the kind of player he was."
Current head coach Dean Koski has had his fair share of legendary players come through his program in the last 29 years, but he knows the ones that came before his tenure are the ones that will continue to leave a legacy long into the future and Robinson is no exception.
"It's always sad to hear about the passing of an alum, particularly at such a young age, and I am certain this has been a very difficult time for Mike's family as it was so unexpected," Koski said. "Mike's legacy as an incredible soccer player in high school, at Lehigh and professionally will always be remembered and being second in career goals at Lehigh is a special distinction. However, everything that I have learned about Mike since his passing speaks to the impact he has had on so many people as a husband, son, father, teammate and friend. I am certain that is the legacy that was most important to Mike."
Robinson, who was a resident of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is survived by his wife Evelyn, his mother and sons Mike and Matthew.
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