Patricia Robinson '47 — field hockey, basketball, softball

Patricia Robinson '47

One of the most influential contributors to the Connecticut College women's athletic program, Patricia Robinson was a three-sport standout, playing basketball and softball for four years and field hockey for three. She captained the field hockey and basketball teams and played three positions (pitcher, catcher, outfielder) for the softball club.

As a vocal advocate and leader for athletics, Robinson represented her class on the college's Athletic Association, holding the offices of vice president and president. She also helped lead a successful student movement to resurrect the college's athletic program after it was discontinued during World War II. In recognition of her contributions to the college's physical education program, Robinson received the silver arrow pin and the C Award.

After graduating, Robinson continued to be an active voice for athletics and served in various leadership roles. From 1947 to 1950, she was a physical education instructor at Bates College. She then went to the University of Michigan, where she was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and earned her master's degree in education in 1952.

She then returned to Connecticut, where she was a member of the University of Connecticut's Physical Education Department for more than two decades. After coaching field hockey, basketball and softball from 1953-65, she was head of women's physical education for five years. During the 1971-72 academic year, Robinson was named acting head of the Physical Education Department. She received the silver arrow pin from the university in recognition of her service and commitment.

In addition to her playing and administrative leadership, Robinson has been a rated official in a variety of sports. She received local and national ratings in basketball, and was named an honorary official in 1957. Robinson also held a local rating as a field hockey official and a national rating in volleyball officiating. She has run numerous clinics and classes to train other officials. In 2005, she was inducted into the New Agenda Northeast Women's Hall of Fame, which recognizes those who have advanced the role of girls and women in sport.

Now retired, Robinson continues her involvement in fitness activities, and she does local charity work in her home state of Maine. A volunteer Red Cross swimming instructor for more than 50 years, she teaches classes for the Harpswell school system. In addition, Robinson is a fitness and aerobics instructor and especially enjoys leading classes for older women. She splits her time between Bailey Island, in the summer, and Brunswick, during the winter.