Holland Bio

Greetings! This is my thirty-fifth year teaching in the Westlake School district. I want to take a moment and share my past. My family moved here in 1963. I’m the second son of Allan & Sue Holland. I grew up on Northglen. I attended fifth grade at the Dover Academy, which is what we used to call it. Then I went to Burneson, which was a three-story building that is now under the Burneson front parking lot. Attended Westlake High School where I participated in Football, Basketball, and baseball. My junior year I was honorable mention first base in baseball. My senior year I was all conference center in football. I have been involved with the Fellowhip of Christian Athletes. Upon graduation in 1971 I decided to attend Kent State University to become an elementary teacher and coach.

I was blessed to be hired in 1975 by the Westlake district. My first year of teaching was at Holly Lane for principal Roy Hagedorn. My second year I was moved to Hilliard with principal John D’Ettore for the next three years. Then I was able to move to Parkside with principal Al Smith. During these years and the years that followed I coached football & track & field. During these years I served as Parkside’s athletic director for seven wonderful years.

In the early 90’s we had a principal who did not appreciate all the time and hours I gave to our athletic program so while still teaching at Parkside I coached football at Olmsted Falls for three years. After that principal moved on thankfully, I returned to coach back here in Westlake.

Over the years I have been active in hosting and organizing the SWC middle school track & field meet. Recently I began the Westlake Relays for middle school athletes.

Little know to the community is the fact that I was the founder of the Ohio field trip for seventh graders and the Washington trip for the eighth graders. I also have been involved with the Parkside Mohican field trip.

I have coached 7^th, 8^th, & 9^th grades football, basketball, & Track & Field. The 9^th grade basketball team in 2001 won the conference and finished an excellent 15 & 5. I recently received an email from a former student, Thom Kreutzberg who reminded me that his group won the SWC as 7^th graders in 1997. Last year I coached the 8^th grade B team at Burneson .

After 30 years in the regular classroom Mr. Bregar allowed me to switch over to Health and Physical Education. It was a challenge at first, but I have enjoyed getting to know and work with more students.

My wife, Mary Ellen & I have lived in Olmsted Falls for the past twenty- two years. Mary Ellen and I have be married 32 years this past June 17^th. Our daughter, Jessica is married and has three wonderful children, Jonathan, Marcus, & Ethan 12, 9 & 3 months. They attend the Olmsted Falls schools. Being a grandparent is wonderful.

Our son Jeremy is back from Morgantown, WV. and is working part time for a landscaper and developing an internet business. Our other son Thad put one year in BW College, but now is attending Syracuse University studying landscape & design with the goal of designing golf courses.

Have been recognized as a Parkside Lifetime Membership recipient.

Have been recognized by my coaching peers with the Bob Herman Award.

Had the 2005 Westlake Relays dedicated in my honor to recognize the work within the Track & Field programs over the years.

Have helped our 7^th grade football players make the transition from junior all-star football to 8^th grade football. This has not been an easy task either.

Our Girls Burneson track & field teams the past 8 years have a record of 47 victories, 3 losses, & 1 tie. Three SWC Championships, Two Runner ups, two Thirds, and a Fourth!

Obviously, I have loved Westlake and these thirty-five years of teaching & coaching. I am now getting to the age where some wonderful people whom I’ve worked with are passing away. Sad, but part of the cycle of life. God bless the Dan Barker, Dan Yinger, Roy Hagedorn, Ken Boitel, Claudia Nickel, Mary Lou Glass, Fred Jennings, Ray Conti Helmut Geyer, Tom Kiczek, recently Emily Lewis & others. Life’s pace is so fast a furious today. I wish it would slow down a little so we could appreciate those around us more. Soon, my time will come and I will join those wonderful folks whom retired recently. May God bless America and each of you too.