Hall of Fame
Robert Holland came to Chowan in the fall of 2009 to play football as the Hawks were transitioning into the CIAA as full-time league members. Robert made a name for himself in his first season wearing the CU Blue and White, catching balls from fellow-Hall of Fame inductee, CJ Westler. Holland’s breakout game came three games into his freshman season when he snatched 8 balls for 189 yards and two scores in a win over Brevard College. From that point on, Holland was Westler’s favorite target. Holland had a knack for getting open and making big plays down the field. By the end of his freshman year, he snagged 86 passes for 1,078 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
“No one is more deserving than Robert Holland to be in the Jim Garrison Sports Hall of Fame at Chowan,” said Mark Hall, former Head Coach at Chowan University. Hall coached Robert for four-seasons as the Hawks offensive coordinator. “His production on the field speak for themselves and his accomplishments are second to none. He is one of the best players I have ever coached and is certainly one the best players to ever play at Chowan.”
Robert posted 804 yards receiving with 7 touchdowns and 65 catches his sophomore year and followed that up with 943 yards receiving with 13 touchdowns in his junior year. After an injury sidelined him in 2012, he posted his best season to date in 2013 with 1,313 total receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
In four seasons, Robert earned All-CIAA four times, and in his senior year was tabbed CIAA Offensive Player of the Year. He was the second player in program history to earn CIAA Offensive Player of the Year honors. The Newport News, Virginia native owns school records, CIAA records, and second in career receptions in Division II. Robert set and still holds career records in six offensive records as well as five single-season records.
While earning his degree in his final year at Chowan, he assisted the Hawks coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball. Robert graduated from Chowan in 2014 and went on to put his degree to work, passing his learned knowledge on to students in Northern Virginia. Robert currently serves as a physical education teacher for Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary School in Northern Virginia as well as the Offensive Coordinator for John H. Lewis High School’s football team. Robert also serves as the high jumps for Lewis High School and in 2021 he coached a state champion in the event.
He is married to Chowan alumnus, Lisa Desta Holland. Lisa and Robert are expecting their first child in December.
