OHIO CITY, OH - Jerome Robinson's '10 wrestling journey began when he was little, imitating WWF moves on his father. A chance encounter at a Marco's Pizza in Toledo, Ohio, led to a pivotal moment when a wrestling coach noticed Robinson demonstrating these moves. Impressed by his enthusiasm, the coach encouraged him to train at his wrestling gym, offering a structured environment to develop his skills.
Robinson is being inducted into the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame as one of the wrestling program's best, having earned two state championships, three state placements, four state qualifications, and four varsity letters.
Robinson concluded his Saint Ignatius career with an impressive 124-17 record. He secured OHSAA state championships as a senior in the 119 weight class and junior in the 112 weight class, having placed third as a freshman. Together with his teammate David Habat '10 (OHSAA champion 2009), he contributed to the wrestling team's top-five finishes during his junior and senior years. Robinson was honored as the 2009 Super 32 Champion, recognized as one of the most competitive preseason tournaments in the United States, and was a three-time Catholic Invitational Champion, a Brecksville Holiday tournament placer, among numerous other accolades. He wrestled and graduated from Old Dominion University, where he placed in his conference and qualified for the NCAA tournament before suffering an injury.
His journey to wrestle for the Wildcats came from his good friend David Habat '10, whom he met on the national wrestling circuit. Robinson grew up in Toledo and heard about the Wildcats wrestling program from Habat. Robinson and Habat's dads collectively encouraged the boys to wrestle for the Wildcats. Having a mother who was a lifelong educator significantly influenced Robinson's decision to attend the school; after researching the school's academic programs, it became the obvious choice. "My family ultimately chose Saint Ignatius because academics were always at the forefront for us. We knew that academically, Saint Ignatius was the best place for me," shares Robinson.
Robinson cherished his years at the school. "I was warmly welcomed into the Saint Ignatius community. As a nervous freshman in a new school and city, everyone embraced me with open arms. I realized that it's not necessarily about where I came from. They were ready to welcome me, and we are forever brothers," he shares with a smile.
"While at Saint Ignatius, I learned what it truly meant to be a Man for Others and to build relationships with those around me. I learned how to fight through adversity and manage anything thrown in my path. Putting my faith at the forefront and knowing that the men to my left and my right were by my side is something I will always remember,"shares Robinson with a warm smile.
Robinson speaks animatedly about his years at Saint Ignatius and those who had the biggest influence on him, including retired Head Athletic Trainer Hank Gaughan Hon. '19. "Mr. Gaughan talked to the students about their lives and what we were going through; he taught us life lessons." Others who had a big impact on him were retired American History teacher Mike Howard Hon. '19, and retired Science teacher Jerry DeCarlo.
After graduating from Old Dominion, Robinson attended graduate school and coached wrestling at Grand Canyon University. For the past nine years, he has been a banker with Quicken Loans.
Robinson expresses deep gratitude to his parents, Jerry and Valarie, for sacrificing so much to provide him with an incredible education and to the Gibbons family for accepting him as a son and brother. With a warm smile, he adds, "Without them in the picture, I would not have become the man I am today."
Robinson lives in Delaware with his wife and college sweetheart, Kallie. They have two daughters, Mila, 3, and Margo, 1.
To register for Wildcats Roar, please visit: https://www.ignatius.edu/wildcatsroar2025
