Akeeme Robinson, at just 24 year old, stands as a testament that dreams really can come true, as he currently serves as the Penn Hills High School freshman football coach.
“I’ve been interested in football all my life. I started playing football at 5 years old, and growing up through the years I grew an extreme love for it. To me, it’s the greatest game that’s ever been created. I mean there are literally so many great things about the game. So many life lessons just by playing football,” Robinson said.
After years of being a dedicated passionate volunteer to the Penn Hills Football staff, Robinson received a life changing phone call from the head football coach; John Peterman to pursue a career opportunity with the Penn Hills School District as the freshman football coach.
Raised in Lincoln-Larimer, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, he obtained his degree in Emergency Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. He has allowed his upbringing to be his motivation to pursue greatness.
“I’m from Larimer, a small neighborhood community infected with drugs and violence near East Liberty,” Robinson said.
The Penn Hills freshman football team has had an incredible season so far, continuing to bring victories to the proud Red and Gold. This particular football season has been one for the record books, because the freshman football team has won more games this season than they have for 10 years. The Freshman have already beaten notable schools, with top programs within the WPIAL such as; Pine Richland, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, and Cannon MacMillan.
“Winning a lot of games is doable but teaching kids there is more to life, that’s hard. And that’s what I strive to do as coach,” Robinson said.
Robinson is not only setting statistics high within his football team, but also setting the bar high for himself as the youngest coach in the state of Pennsylvania.
“Being a football coach at Penn Hills at 24 is absolutely a dream come true,” he said. “It’s so surreal especially knowing that I’m the youngest coach in the state. It’s actually at times makes me speechless. It’s a blessing! And nothing short of amazing! I plan to get everything that coaching has to offer, and the end game I don’t know what that is but I do know I’m going to enjoy the ride. My grandma told me before she passed away, What ever you do, be the best, and that’s what I intend to work towards doing, being the best.”
Robinson has already accomplished such a compelling career as the freshman football coach. Will he be the youngest coach to win a championship?
“People may think from the outside looking in that I’m all about winning football games, but what they aren’t understanding is the team you see on Friday evenings is nothing more than a by product of what we stand for,” he said. “We have one goal, to win? Yes, just like every team, however I’m not asking them to be perfect on every play on I’m just asking them to play with the perfect effort and whistle.
“My motto for life, the team, and any team that I coach for that matter is Win The Day! If we focus on winning the day in school, winning the day on the practice field and in the weight room, winning the day at home, winning the day on the job, winning the day in our relationships, winning the day in the way that we carry ourselves. Soon winning will become habitual, and being a winner will come natural.”
Robinson’s journey as coach has already been an inspiration to not only his football team but also the entire community, and those around him. Robinson is not only breaking records and statistics on and off the field but also changing the mold of what a leader and role model is.
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