Mike Hollins, currently serving as a graduate assistant with the football program after playing as a running back for the Cavaliers from 2019-2023, is to be honored as the winner of the 2025 NCAA Inspiration Award. According to a press release Tuesday, Hollins will be honored at the NCAA Honors Celebration Jan. 14 in Nashville, Tenn. The ceremony will be streamed on the NCAA YouTube channel, starting at 6 p.m.
Per the press release, “the award is given to a coach or administrator currently associated with intercollegiate athletics or to a current or former varsity letter winner at an NCAA school. It honors those who used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome a life-altering situation and become role models, giving hope and inspiration to others.”
Across all of collegiate athletics, it is extremely difficult to find any individual who embodies the aforementioned qualities as well as Hollins. After Hollins was shot — and his teammates Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler were killed — in the November 13, 2022 shooting, Hollins returned to the football field in 2023 after a four-month period of recovery.
Hollins had been shot in the back and required a ventilator during a seven-day period at the University Hospital. It was unknown whether or not he would be able to play football again. And not only did Hollins return to the Cavaliers, but he scored eight total touchdowns in the 2023 season and was named a team captain.
Hollins was essential in Virginia’s historic upset victory at then-No.10 North Carolina that year — rushing for three touchdowns en route to a signature win. And after his career as a Virginia player ended following the 2023 season, he became a graduate assistant for Coach Tony Elliott’s offense.
In addition to the 2025 NCAA Inspiration Award, Hollins has been honored with several other national awards over the past two years. As he continues to assist the Cavaliers as a coach, his legacy of inspiration will only continue to grow.
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