Avondale Quarterback Signs With 'First Ones to Take a Chance on Me'

Mitch Robinson admits his first experience with Northwood University football was, in a word, "ugly."

The senior quarterback said he attended his first game last fall and left at halftime when the score was 34-7. "I said on the way home that I didn't want to go there. I didn't want to be a part of that."

But then Robinson grew to know the coaches. He learned about the school's  reputation for academics.

And, ultimately, he made his decision.

On Wednesday afternoon, in a well-attended ceremony at the high school, Robinson signed his letter of intent to play football at Northwood.

It was part of the National Signing Day, where athletes sign their letters of intent.

Robinson has been the varsity quarterback for the Yellow Jackets for the past three seasons. He holds the MHSAA record for touchdowns in a season (he threw for 3,606 yards and 46 touchdowns in 2010) and has broken every passing record in Avondale football history.

Robinson had four scholarship offers to consider: Ferris State University, Wayne State University, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and Northwood.

"I always said I wanted to go someplace where I felt needed and wanted and I wanted to go somewhere that was going to take a chance on me," said Robinson. "They were the first ones to take a chance on me."

Avondale Coach Steve Deutsch called Robinson "one of the best football players that Avondale has ever seen."

"He's one of my favorites, and he's a great, great, great asset to the community," Deutsch said. "This is a man who did everything he was supposed to do. He did all the things we asked him to, and now he's being rewarded.

"That fact that we were able to keep him at Avondale and watch him grow into the young man that he is — that's what's special to me."

Robinson's elementary school coach and principal, John Pagel, shared his memories of a 6-year-old Robinson dressed in a Randy Moss jersey, playing football during recess. 

"I was new that year and he was one of the first kids that reached out to me," said Pagel, who attended the ceremony dressed in a red "Deerfield" jersey that Robinson had once given him. "As a first-grader, I knew he was a leader even then."

Robinson has also been a member of the varsity baseball team at Avondale for four years. In addition, he has been involved in student leadership and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He is the son of Todd and Shelly Robinson of Rochester Hills.

"The first time we met with the coach, he looked me in the eye and he told me he wanted my son for his character," Todd Robinson said, his voice shaking.

"He's gonna switch from the purple and gold to Carolina blue and navy blue. That's a big thing in our house — we have a lot of purple in our house."