Austin "Red" Robbins
Former University of Tennessee basketball player Austin “Red” Robbins died Wednesday in Metairie, La., after a three-and-a-half year battle with cancer. He was 65.
Mr. Robbins was named Helms Athletic Foundation All-America and All-SEC by the league's coaches in 1966 playing for coach Ray Mears. The 6-foot-9 center from Groveland, Fla., averaged 17.1 points and 12.6 rebounds as a senior in 1966 and grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds against Mississippi.
Mr. Robbins, who played two seasons for the Vols, transferred from Chipola (Fla.) Junior College where he was also named Junior College All-America.
Mr. Robbins, who was selected in the sixth round of the 1966 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, elected to play in the newly created American Basketball Association and played for the New Orleans Buccaneers (1967-70), Utah Stars (1970-72), San Diego Conquistadors (1972-73; 1973-74), Kentucky Colonels (1973; 1974-75), and Virginia Squires (1975-76).
Nicknamed for his red hair as well as his fiery personality, Robbins quickly gained a reputation as one of the toughest players in the ABA, grabbing more than 6,000 rebounds in his career. He was also a solid offensive contributor with above-average shooting range, and in Game 7 of the 1971 ABA Finals made 11 of 12 field goals to lead Utah to the championship.
Born Sept. 30, 1944, in Leesburg, Fla., Robbins and his wife of 39 years, Janie, made their home in Metairie, La. Since his retirement from basketball, Robbins had been a sports equipment representative for shoes and other athletic apparel.
Visitation is Saturday, followed by a funeral mass at Metairie’s St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd.
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Comments » 7
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I remember Big Red well! He played during my student days at UT. I saw him play several times in the ABA also. I was stationed at Ft. Knox when he came to the Kentucky Colonels for the first time but I had seen him play against the Colonels when he was with Utah and San Diego. He always had a kind of gawky, awkward look about him, except when he took his surprisingly graceful jump shot, but he was effective in every phase of the game. RIP, Red; thanks for the memories!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The NBA is better than you might think, long_vol. You may not recognize many of the names if you haven't seen it in so long, but the overall skill level is breath-taking. I can understand if you don't care to take the time to follow it, being a family man and all, and not all games are that thrilling in such a long season with all that travel, but when the best are playing the best, it really is the best basketball in the world.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Correct. Justus was a sophomore when Red was a senior. Freshmen didn't play varsity in those days, of course, or they could have played two years together. Red went about 6'9" while Big Tom--and where is HE these days?--went a good 7'. Tom probably outweighed Red by 75-100 lbs.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, to each his own, but in fact this is an era in which point guards excel to an extent rarely seen in NBA history, the majority of whom ARE normal-sized. I could name you at least a dozen PGs who in many previous eras would be among the very best around but in today's game may never make an All-Star game. But, hey, a good stereotype is a terrible thing to waste(;-P)!
RockyTopVolFan writes:
My condolences to his wife and family, the Vol faithful will miss this one. I fondly remember his heroics when I was a young man not yet out of high school and listening to his name being called repeatedly over the radio at opportune times in many games, he was a Vol basketball hero to me then and I still respect him and the memories.
theoldbear writes:
I knew Red well when we were at UT, and I watched him play for the Utah Stars against the Colonels in the 1971 ABA Finals. Dan Issel refused to come out and play him, and Red shot three pointers to give Utah the win. That one game caused Issel to change his whole attitude about defense!
Thanks, Red Man, for the memories. God rest your soul!
Ringside writes:
RIP
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