For over 20 years WABC TV has been honoring students, teachers and school administrators in the tri-state area who went above and beyond their work in the classroom.

This year, Doug Robins has been selected posthumously as one of the honorees of ABC-7's 2007 Above & Beyond: Inspiring Students and Teachers campaign.

"It's stories such as Doug's that make us feel good about our youth, our educational system and our future," Vice President of Community Affairs for ABC Saundra Thomas said in a letter to Robins' wife, Kathleen.

Robins was nominated by Levittown Schools Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois back in January.

"Although his accomplishments as a baseball coach are legendary, his legacy lies in his role as a life coach," Dr. Sirois wrote in his nomination letter.

Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, Robins coached the Division Avenue High School boys' varsity baseball team after undergoing brain surgery, leading them to the Nassau County finals.

"As he has always shown his players to face life bravely, he now shows us all how one should face death," Dr. Sirois stated.

Dr. Sirois' letter continues on to discuss the parent-run Diamond Club that Robins "organized and nurtured" and how he was responsible for his own field maintenance.

"Doug Robins is an inspiration, an outstanding role model and an all around great human being," Dr. Sirois concluded. "He has gone above and beyond in every way and the students of Levittown have benefited immensely."

Levittown native Doug Robins, 58, lost a brave battle aganist brain cancer on Monday, Feb. 12 with family and friends by his side.

Robins worked in the Levittown School District for 30 years and served as the Division Avenue High School athletic director and head varsity baseball coach.

Robins' accomplishments will be celebrated on Monday, June 4 at ABC Headquarters in New York City. A half-hour special highlighting Robins' story will be aired on Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC-7. Additionally, he will be featured on ABC-7's Above & Beyond: Inspiring Students and Teachers website and a series of vignettes that will air during the month of June. To view the website visit www.7online.com.

For more information about Doug Robins, visit the website his family created, www.dougrobins.com.