Virginia Raises Banner at John Paul Jones Arena to Honor Terry Holland

Terry Holland's 'dream team' of former players, coaches, friends, family, and loved ones gathered to celebrate his impactful life on Saturday

Virginia Athletics

A beautiful celebration took place on Saturday afternoon at John Paul Jones Arena, where Terry Holland's 'dream team' of former players, coaches, friends, family, and loved ones all gathered together to honor his life and memory. 

“Terry enjoyed very, very many wins, successes and highs throughout his over 50 years in college athletics,” said Ann Holland, Terry's wife of 57 years. “Without a shadow of a doubt, he would say today he rests easy, knowing he finally won. You see, today, in one giant room, with a basketball court as the stage, the team of his lifetime has come together. He truly loved each person that’s here today, and this is his dream team."

Holland, who served as the head coach of the Virginia men's basketball team from 1974 to 1990 and as UVA's director of athletics from 1994 to 2001, passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday, February 26th in Charlottesville after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

In his 16 years coaching the Cavaliers, Holland led UVA to two NCAA Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1984, the program's first ACC Tournament Championship in 1976, an NIT title in 1980, three-straight ACC regular season titles from 1981-1983, and nine NCAA Tournament appearances, a period that put the UVA men's basketball program on the map. At the time of his retirement in 1990, Holland was UVA's all-time winningest head coach with a record of 326-173, a record that stood for 33 years until Tony Bennett surpassed him earlier this season.

Bennett provided some touching opening remarks, referencing one of Holland's favorite Bible verses. "When I think of coach Holland and I think of his life, he never, ever backed away from a challenge, even how he faced life from the beginning all the way to the end of this life," Bennett said. "He fought the good fight, he kept the faith, and he finished the race." 

Bennett was one of many people - whose lives were touched by Terry Holland - to offer words of commemoration during Saturday's tribute. Three-time national player of the year Ralph Sampson welcomed everyone in attendance and later on, several other former UVA basketball players who played for Holland spoke, including Wally Walker, Marc Iavaroni, Rick Carlisle, Jimmy Miller, Bryant Stith, Jeff Jones, Jeff Lamp, and Bobby Stokes. 

Virginia director of athletics Carla Williams directed everyone's attention up to the rafters of John Paul Jones Arena, where a banner was unfurled honoring Terry Holland and his service to the University of Virginia. 

Forever enshrined by Virginia! pic.twitter.com/4XiMTWzlcF

— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) May 6, 2023

Three-time Grammy Award-winning musician Bruce Hornsby, a Virginia native, college basketball fan, and one of Holland's favorite artists, opened and closed the ceremony with some of Holland's favorite songs. 

Holland's two daughters and his grandchildren spoke during the ceremony, as did players, coaches, and administrators from Davidson - where he played, coached, and served as athletic director for a combined 18 years - and East Carolina, where he served as the athletic director from 2004 to 2013. Other speakers included East Carolina football head coach Ruffin McNeil, Miami men's basketball head coach Jim Larranaga, Kentucky men's basketball head coach John Calipari, and ESPN basketball analyst and former college basketball coach Seth Greenberg. 

Ann Holland was the last to take the podium, speaking with joy as she looked upon her husband's dream team. “And here you are. Nothing would make Coach happier than having all of his favorite people gathering together under his wings, and here we are, under his wings: the UVA, Davidson College, East Carolina and Clinton, North Carolina, families, all here," Holland said. 

You can watch the full Terry Holland Tribute in the video below:

"Like most people, I just want to be able to say that I did the best I could to make a difference, to leave the world a better place than I found it, and I think that's what drives all of us." - Terry Holland

Rest in peace, Coach.