When Terry Holland announced that he would step down as Virginia's athletics director May 2, the power transfer in McCue Hall made nary a ripple. Holland moved to serve as a special assistant to University president John T. Casteen III, and Craig Littlepage became the Cavaliers' interim athletics director as a national search began for Holland's replacement.
Littlepage, Virginia's senior associate athletic director since 1985, says his duties have not changed in his new temporary position, which took effect June 1. Under Holland's tenure, Littlepage took care of the day to day matters on the University's Grounds as Holland worked with the external affairs of the athletics department.
"You name it, I've done it," Littlepage said. "Everything from sports supervision, hirings, evaluations of staff and support, overseeing support services and heading up senior administrative staff."
Being in the college athletics venue is nothing new to Littlepage, who attended and played basketball for the University of Pennsylvania from 1970-73. As a Quaker, Littlepage played on three Ivy League championship teams that appeared in three consecutive NCAA Eastern Regional championship playoff games.
Littlepage began his coaching career at Villanova, serving as an assistant coach from 1973-74 before assisting at Yale in 1975. He then served as an assistant coach at Virginia under Terry Holland from 1976-82.
Littlepage held head coaching positions at Pennsylvania (1982-85) and Rutgers (1985-88) before returning to Virginia as an assistant coach from 1988-90. Upon his return in 1988, the Cavaliers reached the championship game of the NCAA Southeast Regionals.
In addition to expanding his knowledge of collegiate athletics, Littlepage's experience on the hardwood has served to enhance his ability as an administrator.
Littlepage's "background is one that is extremely strong," Holland said. "Being both a scholarship player and coach at the highest level has helped him understand all the aspects of intercollegiate athletics."
Littlepage "has a mature experience of every aspect of the department," Casteen added. "He brings informed judgment, fairness and intellectual rigor to each issue."
During Littlepage's time in Virginia's athletics department, significant advances have been made in terms of athletic facilities, such as the renovation of the Carl Smith Center. A new basketball facility, thanks to an anonymous $20 million donation on June 15, will replace the aging University Hall.
But despite all the progress the athletics department has made during Littlepage's time, he said he is most proud of the moments when he was directly involved with the student athletes and their experiences at the University.
"When [student athletes] achieve in their professions and come back and resume an active participation with the program, these things make a significant impact on me." Littlepage said. "They understand the value of what we do as a department."
Littlepage also places great importance in the relationship between the University athletics department and the Charlottesville community. A mentorship already exists between the University and Charlottesville high and middle schools, but Littlepage would like to give an addition dimension to the program.
"I would like to mentor one to two high school students in sports journalism by bringing them in and give them a behind-the-scenes look" at collegiate athletics, Littlepage said. "I think it would be a home run in terms of exposing a young person to things they would otherwise have a limited opportunity" to explore.
Littlepage's vision both inside and outside the University is a testimony to his dedication to the program.
"People who care about Virginia athletics know and value him," Casteen said.
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