Thomas “Pete” Robinson was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. He graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts and earned a master's degree in education from the College of William and Mary. He is a Navy veteran of World War II (Pacific theatre). 

Pete Robinson Old Dominion University’s (ODU) first wrestling coach in 1957 and coached for 26 years from 1957-1983, where he developed three individual national champions, 12 Division II All-Americans, and four Divisional All-All Americans. When he retired in 1983, he had compiled a 172-133-7 record. 

Three of Robinson's wrestlers, Carl Ragland (1969), Wayne Bright (1970), and Terry Perdew (1974) won NCAA Division II National Championships in their respective weight classes and are all inductees in the ODU Sports Hall of Fame. 

In addition, five of Robinson's wrestlers were NCAA Eastern Regional Champions and ten were Virginia Intercollegiate State Champions. In 1981-82, ODU won the NCAA East Regional championship, and four wrestlers advanced to the NCAA National Championships in Ames, Iowa. 

Recognized and respected nationally for his coaching, Robinson served as a member of the National Rules Committee of the NCAA and as director for several post-season tournaments. 

Robinson also coached golf at ODU for 13 years. His most outstanding golfer was J.P. Leigh who earned College Division All-American honors in 1969 and was inducted into the ODUS ports Hall of Fame in 1984. 

Robinson served as an instructor in the ODU health and physical education department from 1957-83. He was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. 

Pete is married to Wilma Salmon Robinson, and they have two daughters Evelyn and Ann, as well as one son Bill.