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TAMPA - Charles "Chuck" A. Holland, former principal of Hillsborough High School, a longtime promoter of high school sports and three-time High School Principal of the Year, died Friday (Oct. 8, 2004).
Mr. Holland, 69, of San Antonio, retired in 1993. In recent months he had been suffering from esophageal cancer and heart problems.
Born in Waverly, N.Y., he graduated from Waverly High School and Ithaca College, where he pursued a degree in physical education. After serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, he came home and began a career in education as a football coach in New York at Westfield Academy and Central School, where he won a league championship.
"His passion, his gift, his talent always dealt with youth and sports," said his daughter, Robin Coleman, of Tampa. His success continued at other high schools in New York, garnering Mr. Holland four coach-of-the-year honors over 10 years.
Mr. Holland moved to the Tampa area in 1970, where he worked first as a teacher and coach at Brandon High, then as dean of students and assistant principal of administration at East Bay High School, and finally as principal at Hillsborough High School.
"He thoroughly loved the Big Red until the day he died," said his wife, Vanice Holland. "He fully supported the school, the sports and the academics; he was integral in getting the IB curriculum started there."
Mr. Holland's work within athletics and education, and won numerous awards.
Mr. Holland was also active as a Marine Corps veteran, helping found the Zephyrhills charter of the Marine Corp League in February. Mr. Holland is survived by his wife, Vanice; a son, T.J., Washington; a daughter, Robin Coleman, Tampa; two stepdaughters, Sara Sichting and Dana Linkous; a sister, Phyllis Wenzel; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Dade City.
Visitation with the family will be at 10 a.m.
Mr. Holland will be buried at the National Cemetery in Bushnell with an honor guard ceremony. The family asks that donations be made in Mr. Holland's name to the Endowment Fund for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, P.O. Box 690, Indianapolis, Ind., 46206, or locally to First Baptist Church of Dade City Youth Department, 37511 Church Ave., Dade City, 33525.