Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
A coach can develop strength and teach fundamentals and technique, but a coach cannot develop or teach pure speed. Either you are born with it or you aren’t. Todd Robbins was born with pure speed, so from the first time he lined up for the 100-yard dash at Memphis University School to the time he played wide receiver for the Lynx at Southwestern, Todd Robbins has won a lot of races.
Todd Robbins is one of Rhodes’ all-time great sprinters. As a freshman he became the first Lynx track athlete to break 10 flat in the 100-yard dash recording a time of 9.9. Along with Herman Morris, Jeff Carter and Levi Frazier, Todd was part of the 440-yard relay, which set the school record of 42.1. During Todd’s four years on the Southwestern track team the Lynx won three College Athletic Conference (CAC) titles, and Todd was one of the top sprinters in the league.
As a freshman Todd spent time playing both defensive back and wide receiver, but when Coach Don Lear became Southwestern’s head football coach in 1969 he quickly recognized Todd’s speed and great hands and moved him full time to the wide receiver position. Todd earned All College Athletic Conference honors his junior and senior seasons when the Lynx captured both the 1970 and 1971 CAC titles. Todd was a key contributor on the 1971 team, which compiled a 7-1 record and still ranks as one of Rhodes’ all-time winningest teams. When asked about the highlight of his football career, Todd proudly states the Lynx were 4-0 against Sewanee while he donned the Southwestern uniform.
While Todd wasn’t competing in football and track, he managed to be a Dean’s List student, earning a double major in English and Biochemistry. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. For years Todd has been recognized as one of the Memphis’ leading cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons.
Whether it’s been as a devoted husband and father, a surgeon, or as a student- athlete, Todd Robbins has been a winner all his life. For the success achieved in the classroom, on the gridiron and track, Rhodes is honored to induct Edward Todd Robbins into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this19th day of October, 2012.
