http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3371978


Will Robinson dies, was first black coach of Division I program
Associated Press

Updated: April 28, 2008, 12:39 PM ET
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Basketball pioneer Will Robinson has died at 96.

The Detroit Pistons said Robinson died Monday in a nursing home in Harper Woods. Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said Robinson had been sick for 15 months and staying in a nursing home for more than a year.

Robinson was the first black coach of a Division I program, leading Illinois State in the 1970s.

He joined the Pistons as a scout in 1976. Robinson discovered Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, key players on Detroit's 1989 and 1990 NBA championship teams.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Blaha is sad right now, therefore so am I.

http://a.abcnews.com/images/Sports/ap_will_robinson_080428_mn.jpg


Will Robinson, Hoops Pioneer, Dies at 96
First African-American Coach in Division I; Discovered Dumars, Rodman for Pistons
Larry Lage
April 28, 2008

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Will Robinson, who was the first black coach of a Division I college basketball program and a legendary evaluator of talent in both basketball and football, died on Monday. He was 96.

Robinson died in a nursing home in the Detroit suburb of Harper Woods, said Detroit Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek. Robinson had been sick for 15 months and in a nursing home for more than a year, Dobek said.

Robinson made history when he became the first black Division I coach, leading Illinois State in the 1970s.

He joined the Pistons as a scout in 1976 and discovered Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, key players on Detroit's 1989 and 1990 NBA championship teams coached by Chuck Daly — who took the job after Robinson declined former general manager Jack McCloskey's offer.

"Will Robinson was truly a legend and will be missed dearly," Dumars said. "He was a huge inspiration for me and so many others. He was simply the best."

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=4741196&page=1

Too soon for the Lost in Space comment?

Too soon for the Lost in Space comment?
Never thought of it until just now, but I shook hands with both the basketball Will Robinson -and- the Lost In Space Will Robinson. Thanks, Fool!