FOBBS, BIBBS ENTER GRAMBLING HALL OF FAME
 Fobbs, Bibbs were students together at Grambling
Brian Holloway
September 17, 2008
 

GREENSBORO,  – Grambling State University must recognize the outstanding work its alumni are conducting at North Carolina A&T and see the need to highlight it this year.

North Carolina A&T head women’s basketball coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs and football head coach Lee Fobbs were inducted into the GSU Alumni Hall of Fame today. The reception, banquet and induction ceremony will be October 17 at 5:30 p.m., in the university assembly center. Bibbs and Fobbs were among five inductees who went into the GSU Hall under the category of athletics.

“It is always a great honor to be recognized by your alma mater,’’ said Bibbs. “I have so many fond memories of Grambling. It is where I met my husband, it is where I was educated and it is where I got my start in college coaching.”

Bibbs attended Grambling from 1968-72 with a degree in health and physical education. She returned to the school to earn a Master’s degree in sports administration. She returned again in 1983 to serve as the director of women’s athletics where she started and coached the Tigers softball program. Dr. Joseph Benjamin Johnson named her the head women’s basketball coach of a fledging Grambling program.

She eventually turned the program into a SWAC power, winning six championships and 238 games over a 13-year span. She also led the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1994. Last season, she earned her 400^th coaching victory, led the Aggies to a record-breaking 25-8 season, won MEAC Coach of the Year honors and she led the Aggies to the WNIT. She ranks 33^rd among active women’s basketball coaches with 422 career wins.  

Fobbs played four seasons under legendary football coach Eddie Robinson. From 1969-72, Fobbs and his teammates won two Southwestern Athletic Conference championships. The Tigers were also a combined 33-10 in that span. Fobbs, a four-year starter at running back and fullback, led the Tigers in rushing as a senior.

“I received a call from some guys I knew and it was a total shock to me,’’ said Fobbs. “I am truly honored to be recognized by my alma mater in this way. Grambling has meant so much to me in my life and being there really set the foundation for the person I am today.”

Fobbs was a two-time All-SWAC performer and was selected as an All-American his senior season. Fobbs was an 8^th round selection of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills in 1973. He also played professionally in the Canadian Football League.

Fobbs is in his third year as the leader of the Aggies football program. He has the Aggies off to a 2-1 start in 2008.

“When Eddie Robinson comes to your house in the state of Louisiana and wants you to be a Grambling man, what choice do you have?” said Fobbs. “Coach (Robinson) was and still is a big influence in my life, I’ll never deny that. He didn’t dwell on things. He just kept working. And that’s what I’ve tried to do here, is just keep working.”