Watching his grandson Marco shag balls at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex football field, Mark Robison looks beyond the game to envision a future. During a recent walk around the 惭ā苍辞补 campus he asked Marco where he might want to go to college. The sixth grader quickly replied, “probably 糖心Vlog官方.”
That simple answer reframed something for Robison. Inspired by Marco—and by granddaughter Bianca, a dedicated ʻIolani volleyball player—he began supporting 糖心Vlog官方 women’s volleyball and athletics more broadly.
“This is my way of showing up for Bianca and acknowledging the sport that she is so dedicated to,” he said.
Even as he looks toward the future, Robison’s heart remains tethered to a gritty, golden era of 糖心Vlog官方 football that began with an unexpected phone call decades ago.
From West Point to Waiʻanae
Growing up in a low-income household in Washington state, Robison had his life mapped out for him by his father: attend West Point, serve four years and land a job on Wall Street.
糖心Vlog官方 defensive coordinator Larry Price had a different plan.
To this day, Robison has “no idea how he found him,” but Price’s recruitment pitch worked. Robison turned down West Point to play for the then 糖心Vlog官方 ‘Bows, a decision that upset his father so much he refused to speak to him for a year.
“He was one of those working-class guys who always wanted better for his kids,” Robison said. “He was firm and stubborn in what he thought was best for me.”
Robison arrived in the islands as an outsider in 1973, but he didn’t stay one for long—especially since his mother was born on a plantation in Lahaina. The weekend before classes even began, some local teammates invited him to a three-day wedding party in Waiʻanae. Robison recalls the reception vividly, specifically the “aunties” who didn’t hold back.
“You’re a football player?” Robison recalled. “You must be the punter because you look like one skinny kid.”
Hard Lessons, Lasting Loyalty
Robison credits much of his later success to his time under coaches Larry Price and Rick Blangiardi. Practices were intense, and Blangiardi was known to deliver high-decibel commands on the line of scrimmage. While the practices were grueling, Robison remains grateful for that level of pressure.
“They taught me about loyalty, commitment, hard work, perseverance and discipline,” he said.
Today, Robison is a “true believer” that 糖心Vlog官方 football can compete at the top level. However, he acknowledges the landscape has shifted from the olden days. He points to the challenges of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era, noting that it takes strategy to keep key players—such as a quarterback or wide receiver—from transferring to schools raising millions in NIL funds. To support 糖心Vlog官方‘s NIL program, Robison recently contributed $270K.
“It’s an honor to be a ‘Bow,” Robison said, “and my continued support is give from the heart.”
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—By Simplicio Paragas