Alan (Butch) Holden

Alan (Butch) Holden is a 1963 graduate of Charlottesville High School. Alan is the only athlete to receive 13 varsity letters in 16 seasons during his high school career. While at Charlottesville, Alan excelled in track, cross country, baseball and basketball.

Alan set four school records in the 440 yard run, 880 yard run, mile run and the mile relay. These records remained standing at the time of school consolidation into Eastern Hancock. He was the first Charlottesville and Hancock County runner to win the mile run at the Hancock County Conference meet four times. Alan also set Hancock County Conference meet records in the 880, mile and mile relay. Alan’s record time in the mile run would convert to a time just slightly faster than the current school record in the 1600 meters, today’s equivalent distance. This time was set on a cinder track rather than today’s much faster all-weather track surfaces.

Alan is the only Charlottesville runner to win the Hancock County Conference meet three times in cross country. He set the course record at the conference meet, and led Charlottesville to the team championship in 1960, 1961, and 1962.

Alan also earned three varsity letters in baseball, leading the team in batting average as a junior and two varsity letters in basketball, where he was a double figure scorer and named to the all-tourney team at the holiday tournament his senior year.

Following graduation, Alan moved on to Western Kentucky University, where he ran on the track and cross country teams. Western Kentucky was recognized as the #1 cross country team in the south at the time. Alan earned four varsity letters in both track and cross country, along with all Ohio Valley Conference recognition in both sports. He was Ohio Valley Conference champion in the 880 yard run as a senior at Western Kentucky.

Currently, Alan continues to carry his passion for running and a desire to pass this on to youth, as he is in his 35th season as cross country coach at Pendleton Heights High School. Under Alan’s leadership, his teams have been Madison County champions 15 times, sectional champions 9 times, regional champions 6 times, and have made 23 semi-state and 4 state meet appearances as a team, and he has coached 10 individuals to state meet appearances. Alan has coached one individual state champion in 2005, seven all-state runners, and 40 state meet participants. Alan has been recognized as conference coach of the year 15 times.