Former PVAMU Women's Basket Ball Coach Bob Atkins Passes Away

Former Women's Head Basketball Coach at Prairie View A&M University, Robert "Bob" Lee Atkins, passed away on September 22, 2020. The PVAMU family lost a true friend with the passing of Bob Atkins.  He was one of the finest men to Coach at the university and the love and respect he garnered from the students and colleagues is immeasurable.

The Funeral service for Coach Atkins  is as follows at the

Church Without Walls
5725 Queenston Blvd.
Houston, TX 77084

Viewing: Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (Public)

Funeral:  Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon (Invite ONLY due to COVID-19 Restrictions.

Atkins joined the Prairie View A&M Athletic family in 1984 as an Assistant Football Coach, later to become the Head Women’s Basketball Coach, a position he held from 1984-2005.  After 21 years, Atkins resigned in 2005 to be come the Director of Athletic Operations, where he retired from the university in August 2011.

Atkins was born on April 2, 1946, in Modesto, California and at three years old, his parents, U.S. Navy Sailor Robert and Mary Brown Atkins, relocated the family to Atlanta, Georgia in 1949. Bob was an exceptional player in three sports, baseball, basketball, and football at Luther J. Price High School.   Upon graduation in 1964, Atkins enrolled at Grambling State University in Louisiana and earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Recreation in 1972.  During his professional career at Prairie View A&M University, he received a Master of Education degree in 1986.

In 1968, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Atkins in the second round as a cornerback. After the draft, he played in two major all-star games: January 1968, the 19th Annual Senior Bowl All Star Game, and in August 1968, the College All-Star Game against the National Football League World Champs Green Bay Packers. As a rookie with the Cardinals, Atkins became known for his exceptional speed and his authoritative hits. Playing two years for the Cardinals, Atkins was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1970. During his seven-year tenure with the Oilers, he was respected on and off the field for his achievements. He won numerous game balls for outstanding game performances often cited in national and local media.  Bob had an exciting career in the NFL, and racked up statistical appearances in 114 games, starting 49, and made 19 career interceptions.  Atkins retired after the 1976 season and pursued other opportunities in his new found hometown of Houston.

In 1983, he became Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Football Coach at Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas.  He later joined the Professional United Leadership League (PULL) for inner-city teens, where for seven years he served as a big brother and counselor.

Among the many awards and recognition he received, Bob was honored with the  Houston’s Third-Ward Community Award for his exemplary volunteer service rendered to the Professional United Leadership League (PULL).  He received the “L. J. Price School Athletic Alumni Award” at the school’s 2009 Second Annual Crimson Award Ceremony held in Atlanta, Georgia. He was commended for scholarly presentations in his fields of expertise at both state and national levels. He was also a member of the NFL Association. On July 8, 2017, Atkins was inducted into the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame. 

Atkins was married to the former Dottie Winchester of Alexandria, Louisiana. They had a son, Christopher Elliott Atkins, and four grandchildren, Tobias, Simeon, Moorea, and Harysn.