ODU’s former longtime wrestling coach Thomas M. “Pete” Robinson, 82, died Dec. 23, 2003, at his Norfolk residence. He retired in 1988 after 31 years as a faculty member in the health and physical education department. Robinson started ODU’s highly successful wrestling program, which he coached from 1957 to 1983.

He developed three individual national champions, 12 Division II All-Americans and four Division I All-Americans. He retired with a 172-133-7 record.

Three of Robinson’s wrestlers, Carl Ragland ’70, Wayne Bright ’71 and Terry Perdew ’75, won NCAA Division II national championships in their respective weight classes.

In addition, five of Robinson’s wrestlers were Eastern Region champions and 10 were Virginia Intercollegiate state champs. In 1981-82, ODU won the NCAA East Regional title, and four wrestlers advanced to the national championships. Respected nationally for his coaching, Robinson served as a member of the NCAA National Rules Committee and as director for several postseason tournaments.

He also coached golf at Old Dominion for 13 years. His most outstanding golfer was J.P. Leigh, who earned College Division All-America honors in 1969.

Robinson was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame as well as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements in coaching.

A native of Greenwood, Miss., he was a graduate of Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School and Springfield (Mass.) College. He received a master of education degree from the College of William and Mary. Robinson was a Navy veteran of World War II.

An honorary alumnus of Old Dominion, he was a member of Town-N- Gown and a former president of the Faculty Emeriti Association.

Robinson was a longtime member of the Norfolk Sports Club “Table 14” and a lifetime member of the National Health and Physical Education Association. He was a member, deacon emeritus, trustee and former Sunday School teacher at Larchmont Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Wilma Salmon Robinson; his daughters Evelyn S. Robinson of Norfolk and Ann Robinson Perez of Atlanta; and his son Thomas M. “Bill” Robinson of Virginia Beach.