Elder Holland and Teammates Honor Their College Coach
Contributed By the Church News
Dixie State College men’s basketball team (1962–63), including Coach Doug Allred, center, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, far right.
Article Highlights
- Elder Holland and his teammates joined in honoring their basketball coach, Doug Allred.
ST. GEORGE, UTAH
On Friday, February 10, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined his former teammates and friends in honoring their beloved basketball coach, Doug Allred.
Elder Holland attended Dixie College (now Dixie State University) as a freshman in 1959–60 where he played basketball under then-Coach Ray Englestead. Even though Coach Englestead had tapped him to be captain of the next year’s team, Elder Holland instead served a mission in London, England.
When he returned to Dixie College for the 1962–63 school year, he had determined not to take the time to play basketball. However, the new first-year coach, Doug Allred, was impressive and persuasive. Elder Holland decided to play and, as if in fulfillment of the earlier offer, was elected cocaptain of the team along with his friend and Dixie standout, Corry Jones. That Dixie team went on to win the conference championship.
During Coach Allred’s 15-year tenure, he led his Rebels team to win the NJCAA Region One championship twice and four Intermountain Collegiate Athletic Conference (ICAC) titles. He eventually was named Dixie’s athletic director and in 2009 was inducted into the Dixie State Athletic Hall of Fame.
During a reunion dinner held in the Holland Centennial Commons at theDixie State University campus, Elder Holland addressed his former coach and his family on behalf of his former teammates and the other players in attendance.
“I’m particularly thrilled to represent all of these colleagues, Coach, for this one chance to say that we all love you,” Elder Holland said.
Elder Holland noted that the weekend prior to the reunion, he was on the other side of the country and the following weekend he would be on the other side of the world, but when he was contacted weeks ago about honoring Coach Allred, “I said there is no place I want to be on February 10 and 11 other than St. George, Utah.”
“We’ll always be Doug Allred’s kids,” he said.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles poses with his former Dixie State coach, Doug Allred. Coach Allred was honored during a reunion dinner and special presentation the weekend of February 10 and 11. Photo courtesy of Dixie State University.
During the reunion dinner, Coach Allred expressed his love for each individual in the room. “I’m very humbled. I’m very appreciative. I can’t thank you enough,” he said.
In addition to noting Elder Holland’s attendance, Coach Allred also noted the presence of Lionel Hollins, former NBA All-Star for the Portland Trail Blazers and later head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets, and Nolan Archibald, former star at Weber State, a walk-on with the Chicago Bulls, and later the chairman and CEO of the international corporate giant Black & Decker.
The following day, Elder Holland and other players were introduced at halftime in the Burns Arena as Dixie State’s basketball team faced California Baptist. During a special presentation at halftime, Dixie State University President Richard “Biff” Williams and athletic director Jason Boothe presented Coach Allred a basketball signed by his former players.
Dixie State University President Richard “Biff” Williams and athletic director Jason Boothe present Coach Doug Allred a basketball signed by his former players. Photo courtesy of Dixie State University.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks at a reunion dinner honoring his former college basketball coach, Doug Allred, on February 10. Photo courtesy of Dixie State University.
