[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 15467] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO POLK ROBISON ______ HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, July 17, 2008 Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this time to remember Polk Robison, a lifelong supporter of District 19's Texas Tech University. Mr. Robison passed away June 27, 2008, at the age of 96. Polk Robison was best known for his service to Texas Tech Athletics, where he was a champion basketball player, coach, and athletic director. Mr. Robison's devotion to his alma mater helped push Texas Tech Athletics into the Southwest and Big 12 Conferences and into the national spotlight. Born in Springfield, Tennessee, Mr. Robison and his family moved to Texas when he was 14. He graduated from Lubbock High School and then from Texas Tech in 1934, earning not only a degree in journalism, but also three consecutive Border Conference basketball championships as a center. Mr. Robison's love of sports led to an early career in coaching football at Burkburnett High School, which soon turned to working for General Motors in Houston. His passion for athletics and Texas Tech brought him back to the university in 1941 as an assistant football and basketball coach. The following year, Mr. Robison moved into the head basketball coach position and remained there for 18 seasons, accumulating a record of 249-196, three Border Conference titles, and a Southwest Conference championship--ranking him second in all-time victories of any Texas Tech coach. His talents extended beyond the basketball program. Mr. Robison served a short stint as the university's tennis coach, leading the team to a Southwest Conference championship. He made a gradual change into a ten-year career as Texas Tech's athletic director and retired in 1977 while serving as the athletics administrator for finance and development. He continued to attend Red Raider basketball games until he was 95. Mr. Robison's devotion overflowed to the community. He served the Lubbock Rotary Club for 40 years, and the Westminster Presbyterian Church named its park in honor of Mr. Robison, a church elder, and his wife, Stephanie. His student jersey number--appropriately, the number one--hangs retired in the university's United Spirit Arena. Former head basketball coach Bob Knight permanently designated a Polk Robison chair next to the team's bench at every home game, bearing the name of this university legend. Mr. Robison cared deeply for his family: his wife, the late Stephanie Corley Robison and his three children, Bill, Kay, and Anne. He also made a lasting impression on his players for his professionalism, caring nature, and motivation. He enjoyed seeing them not only grow as athletes, but grow into men. Those from District 19, including myself, will miss Mr. Robison's enthusiasm for life, dedication to improvement, and tenacity in making Texas Tech a respected and outstanding institution. ____________________