For old time’s sake

Dave Robbins will not be on the bench for a Virginia Union home opener for the first time in 31 years.

Instead, the Panthers' former coach will be on the floor tonight during a dedication at Barco-Stevens Hall before Virginia Union's 7:30 game against Fayetteville State. The renovated home court, which was used during three national championship seasons, will be named Robbins Court.

It's an honor that has left the school's all-time winningest coach feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"I know it's their way of saying thank you, but I want to thank [the university] for letting me work here all these years," said Robbins, now senior administrator for athletic development at VUU.

Robbins, 66, returns to a gymnasium where his teams earned many of his 713 career victories. More important, he's back in the house where he coached a collection of talented players, including Ben Wallace, Terry Davis, Charles Oakley and first-year Union coach Willard Coker.

"I hope the dedication is something real nice, considering all he's done for the university," said Coker, whose Panthers are 5-3. "All the wins he's had on that court, it's going to be an honor to be there to witness it.

"That will probably be one of the most anxious moments I've had all season. It'll be my first home game as head coach . . . it's a really big night. I just hope the team and I will be able to handle it emotionally."

Admittedly, Robbins is somewhat nervous, too. He would rather sit quietly among the Panthers faithful than thrust himself into the spotlight after spending the past several months fishing and fundraising.

"I would rather be sitting with the student body or with the old people," Robbins said. "I definitely won't be on the bench, and I won't be in the locker room. I won't sit behind the bench to hear what's going on. I'm going to be a spectator like everyone else.

"Sure, I miss some parts of coaching. If it was someone other than one of my former players, I probably would be missing it more. Right now, I'm fine with it."

Robbins, who last March led the Panthers to their 21st NCAA Division II tournament appearance, has tried to distance himself from the program. But with his office around the corner from Coker's, the two can't help but talk basketball.

Robbins said he hasn't been tempted to coach from a distance. While he would like to scratch that itch to coach, he doesn't offer advice unless he's asked.

"As far as I can remember, coach Robbins is the program," Coker said. "All the major accomplishments of the program came under his leadership. When you think of Union basketball, you think of coach Robbins, so I don't hesitate to ask him anything."

So far, Robbins has been impressed with his protégé.

"I walk through the gym to watch them practice, and I'm totally at peace with my decision," said Robbins, one of five coaches in Division II history to win 700 games. "I'm happy to see them do well. I'm elated at how well the kids are playing for him."

The Panthers got off to a shaky start, including blowout exhibition losses to Duke (114-50) and Virginia Commonwealth (91-63). But they rebounded with a 52-51 win over Bowie State in the Big Apple Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Coker's most impressive victory of his abbreviated coaching career came Saturday. The Panthers upended defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith 79-67 on the road for their third straight win.

"[Coach Robbins] is still involved with the team, and we talk after each game and his advice has been invaluable," Coker said . "It's nice to have him around and involved with the program."