Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2013
- Class:
- 1956
Wrestling (1953 to 1956)
Football (1953 to 1955)
Willis Holland’s career at Colorado A&M as a two-sport athlete began on the football field and ended at the NCAA Wrestling Championships as an All-American. In football he played three seasons under coach Bob Davis as a tackle, and his senior season ended with the 1955 Skyline Conference Championship. However, it was on the mats Holland excelled as one of the school’s finest wrestlers. Holland placed fourth nationally as a heavyweight wrestler in both the 1955 and 1956 NCAA National Championships. Holland helped lead the Colorado A&M team to a seventh-place finish at the ’56 tournament and established the highest point total at the NCAA’s in school history.
After college Holland served his required time in the Army and then returned to Colorado where he built a very successful chemical company founded by his father-in-law. He remained in the business until his retirement until 1999 when he retired after 39 years. Willis “Tuffy” Holland passed away September 22, 2016 at the age of 82.
Other Accomplishments:
- Two-time All-American (1955 & 1956)
- Three-time NCAA wrestling qualifier
- US Army Veteran
in wrestling at Colorado A&M |
1955 Football championship team |
