R.I.P.: Earle Robinson, Former MI Radio Sportscaster

Earle Robinson

Earle Robinson, a revered sports broadcaster with WKAR 90.5 FM, has died at age 71.

Robinson was an on-air personality for WKAR, Michigan State University's public radio station, from 1974 until his retirement in 2013, according to the East Lansing State Journal.

Robinson started his career at WKAR hosting a jazz music program and quickly developed a reputation as the consummate professional, said Scott Pohl, a veteran journalist at the station.

"I have never heard a cross word about Earle Robinson from anyone," Pohl said. "Friend to all. He had no enemies."

Robinson, a Flint native, was considered a radio pioneer at MSU who helped people of color learn how to break into a predominately white local broadcasting market.

Robinson co-hosted the station's first sports call-in show, "Sportstalk" with Jim Adams and later hosted it himself.

That's when Robinson focused on mentoring others, especially MSU journalism students. 

When Robinson retired from radio in 2013, he helped Al Martin, a Detroit native and MSU alum, prepare to host a new show called "Current Sports."

The 28-year-old Martin, who is black, said he first met Robinson in a sports broadcasting class at MSU and felt an immediate kinship.

"When you see someone that looks like you doing what you want to do and having success at it, it inspires you," Martin said. "And that's what Earle did for me."