In the fall of 2006, when the doors of the new John Paul Jones Arena open to welcome its first Virginia basketball game, few students will be aware of the people behind its creation. When students, student-athletes and coaches speak of Virginia's reputation for excellence in academics and athletics, few attribute its current state to the administration that works hard to promote integrity. In this world of household sports names, few students remember the name of Terry Holland, current East Carolina University athletic director, and his service to the Virginia athletic community.
In his 25-year stay in Charlottesville, Holland served three positions -- head men's basketball coach, athletic director and special assistant to President John T. Casteen, III.
"I have found that the secret to success is to hire good people and then work for them," Holland said. "When you expect a lot from people and give them the responsibility and accountability for success, they will deliver."
This philosophy, which applies to both students and coaches, was useful for Holland in each of his capacities at the University.
When he was Virginia's coach from 1974 to 1990, Virginia enjoyed unparalleled success in school history. When Virginia fans refer to the "Glory Days" of Virginia basketball, they refer to the year-in, year-out level of excellence exemplified by those 16 years of basketball.
With players like Ralph Sampson, Rick Carlisle, Ricky Stokes (current ECU head basketball coach), Olden Polynice, Othell Wilson, Jeff Lamp and countless others, Virginia appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times, reached the Final Four twice, qualified for the NIT four times and won an NIT championship in 1980.In addition to these accomplishments, a lone title banner hangs in University Hall -- the 1976 ACC title -- Virginia's only, a tribute to Holland and his surrounding cast.
"Mainly, we were fortunate enough to recruit a committed group of players and hire assistant coaches that helped us to establish a consistent winner in the toughest basketball conference in the country," Holland said.
With a combined record of 326-173, Holland stands alone at the top after compiling the best coaching record in program history. As a result, he was named ACC Coach of the Year twice (1981 and 1982) and National Coach of the Year runner-up twice.
Former players like Carlisle, the current Indiana Pacers head coach, attribute their success and preparation to their coach.
"I played for one of the best coaches under coach Holland," Carlisle said. "We were always one of the best-coached teams."
After leaving the University in 1990 to serve as an ESPN commentator and athletic director of his alma mater, Davidson, Holland returned to take the reigns of Virginia's athletic department as athletic director from 1995 to 2001. In his six years in that position, Holland oversaw many additions to Virginia's athletic facilities -- notably the expansion of Scott Stadium and the construction of the Aquatic Fitness Center -- in a style reminiscent of a nostalgic sports movie.
"We mainly just tried to follow the movie "Field of Dreams" theme -- if you build it, they will come," Holland said. "And that has worked well for all sports to attract both spectators and fans."
When it came to academics and athletics, Holland took a strong stance in promoting the former. As a coach, he boasted a 95 percent graduation rate among his players.
"There is really no secret to it -- everywhere I have been the administration truly believed that the word student comes first in the term student-athlete for a reason," Holland said.
As special assistant to Casteen from 2001 to 2004, Holland oversaw many aspects related to Virginia athletics but mainly was a supervisor of fundraising for a new basketball arena. His position of athletic director was filled by his former assistant coach, Craig Littlepage, Virginia's current athletic director. Holland's "philosophy of modesty" is still a belief adopted by Virginia's current administration.
"Both Craig Littlepage and I felt that it was our job to work for the coaches rather than vice versa -- having outstanding coaches simply made us look good," Holland said.
Just last year, Holland decided to leave the Virginia program and pursue more challenging opportunities outside the University.
Apart from having family ties to ECU, it gave him the chance to tackle some challenges, such as scheduling.
"I like to take one step at a time, and that simply means that I want us to be better today than we were yesterday," Holland said.
With a new season underway for Holland in Greenville, N.C., his memories of Virginia will remain with him.
"The Holland family loved our years at U.Va. and in the Charlottesville community," Holland said.
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