Without trying, Robinson left unforgettable legacy

STACY ROBINSON, who starred at St. Paul Central and went on to play wide receiver for the New York Giants, passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 50.

Robinson spent six years with the Giants as a wide receiver and earned two Super Bowl rings after an All-America career at North Dakota State.

Before that, Stacy was one of the state’s top high school athletes as a junior and senior, excelling in football, basketball and track before graduating in 1980.

In football he played quarterback for Hall-of-Fame coach FLOYD SMALLER. He started at point guard for the Minutemen under Coach DAN BRINK, another Hall-of-Famer. Smaller also coached him in track.

In March of 1979, Stacy, then a junior, unknowingly helped to start a dynasty that would last a decade.

He teamed with RICKEY SUGGS, JOHN WILLIAMS, FARRON HENDERSON, DAVIE GIVENS and BRIAN DUNGEY, giving Central one of its most successful teams in school history. They defeated Minneapolis North in the Twin City game and went on to the state tournament before losing to Duluth Central in the Class AA championship game.

The next decade (1980s), Central would provide some of the state’s top basketball programs, but the domination was not limited to the court. The football program also prospered as many players went on to standout careers on the gridiron in college.

Robinson also set a standard for the track program, winning the 100-meter run at the state meet in 1980.

Robinson, who went on to work with the NFL Players Association, will certainly be missed. Without even trying, he left an unforgettable legacy.

One thing is for certain: If you were living in the Summit-University area in St. Paul during the 1980s, you knew who Stacy Robinson was. And you will never forget him.

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.