Grambling State University (GSU) will host the 2nd Annual Eddie G. Robinson Sr. Leadership Lecture Series convocation on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. in the T.H. Harris Auditorium. The speaker will be former Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns NFL star Everson Walls.
Walls is a former GSU football player who played during Coach Robinson’s tenure. While at Grambling State, Walls was selected to the Kodak 1AA All-American team as well as the Black College All-American team. During his senior year, he led the nation in interceptions. Walls credits Coach Robinson for helping him mature as a human being. After leaving Grambling State, Walls went on to play professionally as a defensive back in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and won a Super Bowl while with the Giants.
The Robinson Leadership Lecture Series seeks to promote and extend the legacy of Coach Robinson, whose accomplishments symbolize the true essence of leadership. Robinson spent 55 years as head football coach at Grambling State University, starting in 1941 when he was hired by college president and head baseball coach Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones.
The theme for the convocation is “The Legacy Continues: Achieving Success beyond the Football Field.”
“Coach Robinson and Mrs. (Doris) Robinson represent the essence of what it means to be a Gramblinite – commitment, devotion, and leadership,” said GSU President Rick Gallot. “We are grateful for the support of our sponsor, The Heritage Group, who had the insight and vision to continue the legacy of Coach Eddie Robinson through this leadership lecture series.”
Bob Cunningham, president of The Heritage Group, a higher education and management consulting firm in Bossier City, Louisiana, said the company is happy to acknowledge Robinson and to support GSU by supporting the series. “In creating this lecture series, co-founder Dr. Raymond Hicks and I wanted to create a mechanism to extend the legacy of a man who was the ‘face’ of the university for many years and keep his legacy alive for future generations.”
The inaugural event was held last year and the speaker was James “Shack” Harris, a former GSU and NFL quarterback who also played under Coach Robinson.
