The man who helped set the standard for athletic success at Virginia is leaving the University, probably for good.
Former athletic director and men's basketball coach Terry Holland announced last Thursday that he would be stepping down from his most recent position of special assistant to University President John T. Casteen III. Holland had held the position for the last three years, primarily helping raise funds for the new basketball arena.
"The University of Virginia athletic program is in great hands under the leadership of [current athletic director] Craig Littlepage and the arena project is already a reality for those who drive by it daily, as I do," Holland said in a Virginia Athletics release last Thursday. "This makes it a good time for me to look for challenging opportunities either inside or outside intercollegiate athletics before I hang the sneakers up for good."
Holland was out of town this week and unavailable for further comment. His resignation will be effective at the end of August.
"Terry's decision rightly draws attention to his long and devoted service to the University of Virginia and to intercollegiate athletics nationwide," Casteen said in last week's release. "His reputation for integrity in sports programs speaks for itself."
Holland first came to Virginia in 1974 to take the reigns of the men's basketball team. He remains the most successfully coach in the program's history, compiling a 326-173 record during his tenure and taking the Cavaliers to two Final Fours. While he was at the helm, the Cavaliers made 13 postseason appearances, including nine in the NCAA Tournament. He also led Virginia to its only ACC title, in 1976.
Holland left the team in 1990 to serve as athletic director at Davidson, his alma mater. He returned to Charlottesville five years later to head the athletic department at Virginia. During his six years at the position, he oversaw the expansion of Scott Stadium and the construction of the Aquatic and Fitness Center among other projects. Virginia also achieved its highest finish in the Sears Director's Cup -- an all-sports competition between Division I schools based on performance in NCAA Championships -- in 1998-99 while Holland was athletic director, as the Cavaliers finished eighth in the country.
"He is someone who should be given credit for the state of Virginia athletics right now," Littlepage said of Holland. "He established the fact that U.Va. athletic teams, even with high academic standards, could achieve at the highest level in athletics."
Littlepage has had a long professional relationship with Holland, dating back over 25 years. Holland hired him as an assistant basketball coach in 1976, and Littlepage wound up succeeding his former boss as athletic director in 2001 when Holland left to join Casteen's staff.
University Hall, where Virginia currently plays basketball is the smallest and one of the oldest arena's in the ACC. Ground was broken on the new John Paul Jones arena across the street in 2003. The new facility will hold almost 16,000 fans and is scheduled to open for the 2006-07 season.
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