I had the date wrong! Robin Petgrave REALLY WILL be on the CBS Evening News tomorrow (Tuesday). This is Channel 2, at 6:30 pm. If you like kids (I think we all do) and you like the fact that some folks make things happen for kids that would otherwise not have many opportunities to make something of themselves (I think we all like that, too), then this news program (probably a 5 minute spot) will be well worth watching!
And by the way, as Haj pointed out, Robin is actually Jamaican!
Here is the official announcement: http://www.tamuseum.org/news/
My original email is below.
Jerry
In the late 1980's we had an African American skater that skated with us for about 2-3 years. Robin Petgrave, who just missed the 1984 Olympic Team in Track and Field, moved on with his life after a few years of speed skating, as so many skaters have done.
Robin learned to fly helicopters, and soon, flying people around Los Angeles was his job. He now owns a company called Celebrity Helicopters, which has several helicopters and aircraft, and is a nice career for anyone. But that is not the important thing about Robin's career. He uses his status and flying ability to get young kids from Inner City areas into flying! He has been on several television shows, highlighting what he has been doing for Inner City youth, and I'm assuming the CBS Evening News tonight will be similar.
Give it a watch! And remember, Robin skated with us for a few years, and possibly took with him the passion to help youth, which is exactly what we do in the SCSSA!
Jerry
Some interesting links:
Robin skating in 1989 (or so): Photo 1 Photo 2
Robin and I after a helicopter ride a few years ago: Photo
The Celebrity Helicopters website And the link "Giving Back", about Robin's involvement with youth flying!