ABOUT
Manie Robinson is a seasoned storyteller, filmmaker and educator.
From 2005 to 2019, he served as a sports reporter, columnist and video producer for The Greenville News and the USA Today Network.
He has covered landmark events, including the Clemson University football team's run to two national championships, and examined the collegiate athlete compensation model, player safety issues and athletic department finances.
He also investigated issues of economic disparity, racial disharmony and gender inequality.
He was named the South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2018 and 2019.
He has also won more than a dozen South Carolina Press Association awards for video production, breaking news, enterprise reporting and opinion writing.
In May 2019, he graduated from Wake Forest University with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Documentary Film.
His first short documentary, “A Chip Off the Old Rock,” explored the vandalism of the Clemson football icon, Howard’s Rock. It was featured in the PBS web series "Reel South" and screened at the Reedy River Film Festival.
His current project, a feature-length documentary entitled “Proper Pronouns,” illuminates the lives of three transgender ministers in North Carolina.
Robinson’s first book, Top of the Hill, recounted the recent resurgence of the Clemson football program. It was published in October 2018. A second version was released Fall 2019.
FILM
Dabo Swinney's simple formula-- faith, family, forgiveness, fortitude and fun-- pushed the Clemson football program to national prominence.
My first book traces Swinney's ascension from humble beginnings to the forefront of his profession.
Available now!
CV
EDUCATION
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, May 2019
Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Film
Thesis Film: “Proper Pronouns.” Ordained ministers Dawn and Liam persevere through personal and professional adversity they never faced when they were Duane and Lisa.
Furman University, Greenville, SC, June 2006
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Area of Specialization: African-American Protest Rhetoric
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Greenville News, USA Today Network, Greenville, SC
2015 - Present Sports Columnist – Enterprise Reporter
2005 - 2015 Multimedia Sports Reporter
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
2020 - Present Sports Media Instructor
2019 Adjunct Instructor, Journalism
Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
2018 - 2019 Adjunct Professor. Communication Studies
2018 Professional in Residence
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.
2018 Teaching Practicum: Sports, Culture and Society
CREATIVE WORK
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY
Proper Pronouns (In Production, 55:00) Co-director. Editor.
Ordained ministers Dawn and Liam persevere through personal and professional adversity they never faced when they were Duane and Lisa.
2018 New Orleans Film Festival South Pitch winner for Student Documentary
A Chip Off the Old Rock (2017, 10:41) Co-director. Editor.
Vandalism to Clemson’s Howard’s Rock turned a college town into a hard place.
2018 PBS/UNC-TV/SCETV Reel South Season 3
Official Selection: 2017 Reedy Reels Film Festival
Sacred Site (2018, 5:56) Director. Editor. Cinematographer.
The International African American Museum will stand where 100,000 slaves took first steps on American soil.
Published on USA Today and The Greenville News
South Carolina Press Association Award for Feature Video
The Collegiate Cartel (2017, 4:36) Director. Editor.
According to sports journalist Dave Zirin, the NCAA is a multi-billion-dollar operation, run more ruthlessly than the mafia.
Published on The Nation
BOOKS
Top of the Hill: Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s Rise to College Football Greatness. Triumph, 2018, 2019
Untamed: Clemson's Dominant Path to the National Championship. Triumph, 2019 with USA Today Network
Clemson Crowned: The Tigers’ Historic Run to the National Championship. Triumph, 2017 with Bart Boatwright, Dan Hope, Scott Keepfer, Ken Ruinard and Brad Senkiw.
Return to Glory: The Story of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Season. Triumph, 2016 with Bart Boatwright, Scott Keepfer and Jim Rice.
WEB SERIES
Clemson Football Countdown (2018) Director. Host. Editor.
USA Today/The Greenville News
South Carolina Press Association Award for Sports Video
Cover 3 (2017) Director. Host. Editor.
USA Today/The Greenville News
The Three-Point Stance (2015-16) Director. Editor.
USA Today/The Greenville News
South Carolina Press Association Award for Sports Video
Tigers Now Roundtable (2013) Director. Host. Editor.
USA Today/The Greenville News
The Student Section (2009) Director. Host. Editor.
The Greenville News
Man-Up (2009) Director. Host. Editor.
The Greenville News
South Carolina Press Association Award for Sports Video
AUDIO
2015 - 2018. “The Huddle with Greg McKinney.” ESPN Upstate. Guest analyst.
2016 - 2018. “Out of Bounds.” WCCP 105.5 FM Clemson. Guest analyst.
2017 - 2018. “The Suite Spot.” Podcast series. 2017-18. Producer, host and editor.
2016. “Man Listen!” Podcast series. 2016. Producer, host and editor.
2010 - 2012. “The Lettermen’s Lounge.” ESPN Greenville 1440 AM. Producer. Host.
RECOGNITION
National Sports Media Association
South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year: 2018, 2019
South Carolina Press Association Awards
Digital Video Production: 2009, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018
Sports Column Writing: 2015, 2017
Sports Enterprise Reporting: 2015, 2018
Sports Feature: 2016
Sports Spot News: 2016, 2018
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2018. Race, Gender and Political Activism in Sports with William Rhoden. Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
2016 - 2019. Upstate Sports Awards. Live Interviews with Tim Tebow, Tajh Boyd, C.J. Spiller and Ben Boulware.
AFFILIATIONS
National Association of Black Journalists
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Gannett Leadership 5.0 Program
Heisman Trophy Voter
