Don Robinson – 1966
When Don Robinson entered BUHS from Dummerston he brought a magnetic force and undeniable enthusiasm to the athletic teams of BUHS. As an exceptional three-sport athlete at BUHS, Vermont Academy, and University of Vermont, Don’s athletic power and skill stood out, just as his personal qualities of humility, industriousness, and positivity embodied the values that make Brattleboro great.
The charismatic Robinson played football, basketball, and baseball, earning spots on Brattleboro state and regional teams including the 1965 undefeated State Championship football team. Don was an All-Southern Conference All-Star, Vermont All-State second team, All-New England Division I Team, 1970 All-Yankee Conference, Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball League All Star. He played in the Cape League All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.
Throughout his athletic career Robinson earned local and state press accolades describing his exceptionally powerful athletic play as “explosive,” “savage,” even “vicious,” and celebrating him as “the best.” His athletic skill was indeed all of those qualities necessary for the win. And yet Don was and remains so much more. Don’s former teammates describe him as, “a person of quiet but strong character and one who led by example.” Even as a very young player he was “a person who always supported every teammate no matter what the situation, a teammate who always had your back.”
Robinson’s athletic abilities and personal drive as a defensive outfielder, for example, were described by The Rutland Herald, “Robinson made a great grab of Rawson’s long foul ball down the left field line, tumbled down a steep bank, banging into trees, severely shaken up, but held on for the out!” Always the committed teammate, it was reported, “Don Robinson accounted for 10 yds of brother Dennie’s total, as he picked up a fumble on the dead run and ran another 10 before being stopped at the 26 yd line!” Don ran step for step with the running backs!
Don was the total player on all fields in all sports. Mastering the offensive guard and defensive back positions at BUHS, Coach Andy Natowich referred to Don as being “as solid as they come with great quickness.”
Don was not only a dream teammate for every player on his team but the kind of player every coach dreams about having in his starting lineup. Don is not only a dream athlete but also the kind of person we celebrate as representing what is best about Brattleboro.