Hokie ClubDuring his playing days at Virginia Tech in the late 1970s, Wayne Robinson was noted as a player who could get up and down the court and one who thrived in an up-tempo style of game.
Age may have robbed him of his quickness, but almost 30 years after graduating from Virginia Tech as one of the best basketball players in school history (he’s in the school’s sports Hall of Fame), he still thrives in an up-tempo environment.
Even though he works a full-time job and also serves as a senior pastor at New Millennium Christian Center in Greensboro, N.C., Robinson never wastes an opportunity to help his alma mater and he’s got his hands in yet another project designed to benefit Virginia Tech.
Robinson, along with Tech’s Office for Equity and Inclusion and Phi Kappa Tau, have teamed to sponsor the Wayne Robinson – Principles of Community Phive K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk to be held Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. on the Virginia Tech Cross Country Course. The 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk are open to all ages. For some background information, student groups, families, youth, and community organizations can form teams and compete in the team costume and running competition. Overall top finishers and the top finishers in each age category receive trophies, along with teams with the lowest combined times and the best-dressed teams.
One can pre-register for the race at www.oei.vt.edu or at www.active.com. The cost is $15 for those who pre-register (return the form and the check made out to Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity to Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, New Hall West, Suite 117, West Campus Dr., Blacksburg, VA, 24061), and it rises to $20 if one registers on the day of the event. The price tag for the Fun Run/Walk is $10. On-site check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.on October 31 at the Virginia Tech Cross Country Course.
“No, I won’t be running in it,” Robinson laughed. “I’ll be up there, but my knees aren’t what they used to be.”
Robinson, who played on Tech’s 1979 Metro Conference Tournament championship team, got involved because the proceeds of this race and run/walk go toward two important causes, including one especially important to him – the Wayne Robinson Presidential Endowed Scholarship Fund. It also benefits the Association for Hole in the Wall Camps, which supports camping and therapeutic activities for children with serious and life-threatening medical conditions.
Robinson established a scholarship in the early 1980s as a way to support under-represented students who are non-athletes to pursue academic endeavors. Then he worked with the university and agreed to move his scholarship into becoming a part of the Virginia Tech Presidential Scholarship Initiative, a scholarship program designed to offset the costs of college for in-state Virginia high school students with significant financial need. The program recognizes and rewards academically talented students who have shown a commitment to academic excellence.
“When I started, I wanted to help under-represented students who were non-athletes,” Robinson said. “It was a good opportunity for me to help them pursue their academic careers. It has grown over the years and now I want to make a greater impact. By transferring to the Presidential Scholarship Initiative, I felt it could grow into something even bigger and that I could make a greater impact among students who need support.”
The first 5K race and 1-mile run/walk made its debut last year and figures to gain even more support. Robinson and Tech’s Office for Equity and Inclusion are working on other fundraising endeavors and sponsorships.
“I’m working on some things,” said Robinson, who works as the talent and recruiting manager for Nucor. “I don’t want to give away any details at this point, but we have a lot of people interested. As most know, it’s a difficult economic climate right now, but hopefully, the economic climate in 2010 will be better.”
Rest assured, though, once that goal is met, Robinson will find other ways to help his alma mater. He already has served as board member for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and the Multicultural Alumni Advisory Board.
“I love Virginia Tech and I’m going to try and help as much as possible,” he said. “I think it’s so important to show appreciation to the university for helping us get our degrees. Former athletes should give back to their respective schools.
“Our university is growing by leaps and bounds, but I strongly believe we have to become more diverse and cast a wider net. That’s the next phase of our development. We’ve done admirably so far, but we’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m going to do everything I can to see that this is at the forefront. I’m going to work hard because I love our university. It made me feel welcome and helped me be successful and I want others to experience that, too.”