So it's no surprise one of Robinson's favorite moments of his long career came two years ago when he helped reconcile the school with its paralyzed former linebacker, Marc Buoniconti.

There were joyful tears as Buoniconti received his long-sought class ring and had his Citadel jersey retired.

"That was very meaningful to me," said Robinson, who also was basketball coach and athletic director at N.C. State during his four decades in coaching and athletic administration.

In 2002, Robinson was on the scene when The Citadel and alumnus Pat Conroy reconciled. Conroy, a former basketball player, had criticized the school in a novel. But Robinson had helped paved the way more than 15 years earlier, recruiting the novelist's cousin to the basketball team when the Conroy name was still grating to many at The Citadel.

Robinson, 65, will continue as a Bulldogs consultant and fundraiser for the school, where he launched his college coaching career, first as an assistant and then, starting in 1974, as head coach.

Robinson is the only Citadel coach to win 20 games in a season (1978-79). Six years later, Robinson moved to East Tennessee State as coach and AD.

After he led ETSU to two NCAA tournaments, his alma mater N.C. State hired him. The program was reeling, on NCAA probation, its recruiting restricted.

Robinson restored the team's academic standing, raising the team's grade-point-average to 2.69 over six years. On-court success was harder to achieve: The Wolfpack went 78-98 under Robinson, who resigned in March 1996.

He became State's AD, serving until he accepted the same role at The Citadel in 2000.