Arts/Entertainment/Sports: TONY BENNETT
DEAN AND MARKEL FAMILIES MEN’S HEAD BASKETBALL COACH, VIRGINIA CAVALIERS MEN’S BASKETBALL, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, CHARLOTTESVILLE
Published
One of only four former NBA players who have been head coach for NCAA men’s basketball championship teams, Bennett was a former backup point guard with the Charlotte Hornets from 1992 to 1995. Thirteen years after he arrived at the University of Virginia, he’s a valued university asset: popular, respected and winning.
Bennett’s greatest achievement beyond the 2019 NCAA Division I championship, as well as being named its national coach of the year three times, has been the establishment of an elite basketball program that wins the right way. Bennett’s Five Pillars — humility, passion, unity, servanthood and thankfulness — make Virginia basketball truly notable, many fans think. He has led Virginia to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, two NIT berths and five ACC regular-season championships.
EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
SOMETHING I’D NEVER DO AGAIN: Play rugby in New Zealand
MOST RECENT BOOK READ: “Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better,” by Brant Hansen
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Turks and Caicos
ONE THING I’D CHANGE ABOUT VIRGINIA: The cherry blossom trees would be in bloom for at least two months.
