Mack Robinson (athlete)

American track and field athlete (1914-2000)

Matthew MacKenzie Robinson (July 18, 1914 – March 12, 2000) was an American track athlete. He was the older brother of professional baseball player Jackie Robinson.[1][2] Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia. He moved to Pasadena, California when he was young and lived there most of his life. He ran track in high school and college. While at Pasadena City College, he set junior college records in several events. He won a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He came in second to Jesse Owens in the 200m.[1][2] Robinson later ran for the University of Oregon. While there, he won National Collegiate Athletic Association and Amateur Athletic Union titles. He is a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. Robinson spent his later years working for the city of Pasadena as a garbage collector and mailman. He tried to stop crime in the black neighborhoods of Pasadena. Robinson died in Pasadena in 2000. Several landmarks in Pasadena honor both Jackie and Mack Robinson, including the stadium at PCC.

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Mack Robinson at Sports Reference.com/Olympics". Archived from the original on 2009-11-05. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Obituaries:Mack Robinson, 85, Second to Owens in Berlin". Retrieved 2011-07-26.