GRAMBLING, La. — When a museum is dedicated in memory of Eddie Robinson in February, the stars will definitely be out to pay a lasting tribute to the late and legendary leader of Grambling State University’s football program.

Mike Tomlin, the youngest head coach ever to win a Super Bowl championship, will be the keynote speaker for a gala banquet scheduled for the Grambling State University Assembly Center on Feb. 12, 2010 starting at 7 p.m. (CDT).

A 1997 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, Robinson coached Grambling State University 55 years. He won 408 games, lost 165, and tied 15. The 408 games won set a record for a college football coach. He passed away April 3, 2007 at the age of 88.

Many of the former National Football League players guided by Robinson during his record-setting 55-year career at GSU are scheduled to be in attendance, both for the banquet and the museum’s ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Feb. 13 beginning at 10 a.m.

Among the expected celebrities to be present for either or both events are former NFL quarterbacks Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris; Pro Football Hall of Famers Willie Davis, Willie Brown and Charlie Joiner and former Pro Bowl defensive back Everson Walls, among many others.
Also to appear will be Grant Teaff, former head coach at Baylor University and current executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.

Invitations have beent sent out to the 200-plus players who starred at Grambling under Robinson and later played in the NFL.

Tomlin, now in his third season at the Steelers’ helm, became the youngest head coach to both direct and win a Super Bowl title when he helped propel the franchise to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

The former Williama and Mary wide receiver — he set numerous school records for receiving en route to earning All-Yankee Conference honors — became one of only seven coaches in NFL history to win a world title within his first two years as a head coach.

“We are hopeful that the eyes of the football world will be on Grambling, La., for the dedication of the museum which will honor a true Louisiana legend,” said Jay Dardenne, Secretary of State for Louisiana.

More information concerning tickets, sponsorships and other events surrounding the two-day event is available by emailing in care of the museum’s Web site at www.sos.louisiana.gov/egrm or by calling 318-247-6337.

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