Among the best views at John Paul Jones Arena is the one Tony Bennett had Saturday evening following the University of Virginia’s 73-66 win over Syracuse University in men’s basketball.
The UVA coach stood at midcourt, where he didn’t have to strain his neck to spot many of the Cavaliers’ accomplishments, listed on banners hanging in the arena, since his hire in spring 2009.
“When I look around and I see that banner, that banner, that banner, I realize it’s better than I deserve,” Bennett said, “and that’s a result of these guys.”
To no one’s surprise, Bennett deflected the praise that came his way in the moments after he passed Terry Holland as UVA’s all-time winningest coach. During a postgame ceremony in which he received a commemorative ball from UVA President Jim Ryan, Bennett delivered a gratitude-filled speech to the JPJ crowd that included Ann Holland, Terry’s wife. He thanked his family, his players and his staff for their support en route to his latest achievement in Charlottesville.
“This is not a ‘me’ award,” said Bennett, a four-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year with a 327-120 record at UVA. “This is an ‘us’ award.”
