Charles "Carlcy" Holland
Graduating class: 1925
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2005
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
Winner of the prestigious Sparrow Cup, Carlcy Holland was the 4th five letter man in the history of Fairhaven High School athletics. "Chosen as the best Fairhaven High athlete, giving the most meritorious service to the institution", Carlcy also maintained "an attendance record unmarred by absence or tardiness in 13 years of school."
As an elementary school student, Carly defeated Seth Besse of New Bedford High to win the New Bedford Country Club Tennis Championship. Bristol County tennis champion, Carlcy never lost a match for Fairhaven High. In 1922 he won a nation wide interscholastic tournament. Among his outstanding feats as an athlete was his defeat in doubles of "Big Bill" Tilden, then champion of the world, at the New Bedford Country Club.
In 1923 and undefeated in 1924, Fairhaven won the Bristol County League Football Championship. Selected as 1st squad quarterback for the All Star team, the local paper wrote of Carlcy "Every team, no matter how brilliant individually, must have as its leader a man to do the thinking...Carlcy is a great driver and a leader and calls the right plays at the right time".
When not on the mound, Carlcy played 2nd base or center field for the baseball team. He was elected captain his senior year. His first experience as a pitcher, he was called in relief to face bases loaded, none out and one run in. "...Carley had a lot of nerve and weathered the storm well... no more runs scored while he was on the mound." Future articles read, "Holland twirls a good brand of ball and students were waving more or less futilely at Holland's offerings."
As a track star, Holland was a consistent scorer and a fierce competitor. In 1924 and 1925 the track team won the Bristol County League Championship. In 1924 Carley tied for first in the high jump. In 1925 he jumped alter severely spraining his ankle and placed 2nd. On the basketball court Carley alternated between guard and forward.
An injury during his freshman year prevented Carley from following an athletic career at Rhode Island State College. " ... but he attained prominence in other college and fraternal circles".
Shortly before graduation, he succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage. A bronze plaque was placed on campus in memory of "Beloved Carlcy" .
Prior co the opening kickoff of the Fairhaven - Vocational game, taps were sounded in his honor. The underdog Fairhaven team scored the "biggest county league upset" alter Coach Wells enjoined them, "Win for Carlcy Holland!"