Columbus High School senior baseball player Glenn Robinson did not make the junior high baseball team when he was in seventh grade.
Five years later on a Monday night at the Columbus baseball banquet, Robinson was the guest of honor as he signed a scholarship offer with Coahoma Community College.
“I really don’t think Glenn liked me in ninth or 10th grade,” Columbus baseball coach Jeffrey Cook said. “One day he asked me ‘Why do you care so much?’ I told him I cared because I was his coach and I was here to make him a better person.”
Robinson admits it took a little while for the light to come on. However, when it did, the light burned brightly.
“It was really an honor playing for Coach Cook,” Robinson said. “We had so many ups and downs, but now we have a great relationship. I learned a whole lot for him.
“Sure, I learned baseball. But I also learned how to become a man. I will always be grateful for that.”
An outfielder, Robinson set a standard for the Falcons this season. Thanks in part to his leadership, Columbus finished 15-10 overall and earned a share of the Class 6A, Region 2 championship.
“Glenn put in some great effort during the off-season and during the summer,” Cook said. “It is great to see these types of kids succeed. It shows the other players that hard work pays off. I am really proud of him.
“He worked hard in the classroom to get where he needed to go. The players elected him a captain this season. His work ethic in the classroom and weight room set an example for the younger players to follow for years to come.”
While Columbus did enjoy one of its more successful seasons, the Falcons did fall in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs.
“This year was a lot of fun,” Robinson said. “We won a lot of games. We didn’t reach our main goal, but we did go pretty far, so I would call it, a successful year.
“We had integrity on this year’s team. It was kind of rocky at first but once we found ourselves, we played good ball. We overcame a lot of things and had a successful year.”
Also Monday, former Columbus player Tyji Hawkins signed with Mississippi Valley State University.
After completing his career with the Falcons, Hawkins spent the last two years playing at Holmes Community College.
“This year we didn’t have a great year, we didn’t really live up to the standards of the Holmes Community College baseball program,” Hawkins said.
“We didn’t play up to our capabilities but the team was very young. We just played the cards we were dealt.”
Hawkins said his performance improved substantially this year and he enjoyed being a regular in the outfield and also be counted on as part of the pitching rotation for conference games.
“It was great seeing Tyji put it all together this year,” Cook said. “He really had a great finish to his sophomore year. He hit the ball like we knew he was capable of doing.
“It is good for our program when the younger players can see other player sign and play on the college level. It gives them motivation for what they can achieve.”
Hawkins said the opportunity to play quality opposition on a regular basis was his reason for choosing Valley.
“They are coming up,” Hawkins said. “The whole infield is back. We have a top catching recruit coming in.
“I was sold on the chance to play against teams like Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Tennessee and people like that. We ought to be pretty good next year.”
Robinson also feels the Falcons have a chance to be pretty good next year.
“It really is a blessing to get to play on the next level,” Robinson said. “I thank God for giving me this chance.
“I owe it to my parents (Glenn and Cynthia) who have always pushed me, and to the coaches and to my teammates. I wouldn’t be in this position without them.
“Next year is going to be a great year out here. I think they have a chance to be a special team.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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