Holloway III Forges Own Path on Rocky Top
Preston Jones
A larger-than-life figure who excelled on more field than one and broke down racial barriers during his playing days, Condredge Holloway Jr. is best known for his mastery through the air, his elusiveness on the ground and the leadership qualities he displayed during his three seasons as Tennessee’s starting quarterback from 1972-74.
It was on Sept. 9, 1972, that "The Artful Dodger" became the first Black player to start at quarterback on an SEC team, while simultaneously leading the Big Orange to a 34-3 season-opening victory at Georgia Tech in front of a national TV audience. Holloway Jr. currently stands at No. 13 on Tennessee’s career yards leaders list with 4,068 total offensive yards accounted for.
In addition to his accolades on the gridiron, the Huntsville, Alabama, native was the first Black member of the UT baseball program, later earning All-America status as a shortstop for the Vols. In 2015, he became the third Vol in program history to have his jersey retired, as his No. 1 was honored.
Fast forward to 2022—50 years after he took the field for the Vols—his son, Condredge Holloway III is in the process of forging his own path within the Tennessee football program, with the 2022 season serving as his fourth as a team manager. Holloway Jr. fully supported his son’s aspirations as he departed Knoxville’s Bearden High School en route to making a college decision.
Proud is a good word. I feel like a lot of people think that he expected me to go play football somewhere, but he would have been just as proud if I had gone and played the piano on some scholarship at Harvard or played tennis somewhere. He would have been proud of me no matter what I did.- Condredge Holloway III
As far as carrying on the family legacy at Tennessee, the Holloways look at their story from a different perspective.
I don’t think dad would call it a legacy. He just did something that he loved and it happened to have great benefits and turned out really well for him and a lot of other people in the program over the past 50 years. I wouldn’t say I’m carrying on a legacy at all. I’m just a kid going to school and doing something that I love.- Condrege Holloway III
I’m blessed to be a part of this special program. It’s been a fun ride. I haven’t really looked at it that way. I feel like if I looked at it that way, it would be easy to get a big head and that’s probably the last thing that I would ever want to do.
As a running back and a defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid at Bearden, Holloway III opted to work within the Tennessee program as a full-time undergraduate student while majoring in political science.
Still being around the sport that I love is my favorite part. In high school, there were some schools that were interested in me to play at the next level, but I wasn’t that interested in playing at the next level. This is a great in-between of me still being around something that I love, but not actually playing it. It’s just something that kind of fell in my lap and it’s the perfect fit for me.
He will look to secure an internship with the Tennessee Bureau Of Investigation in the summer of 2023, with an option of staying with the program in some capacity after picking up a business minor and a fifth year of school.
Growing up with a special connection to the program and his dad not retiring from his role as Tennessee’s assistant athletics director for student-athlete relations and lettermen until 2019, Holloway III attended all home football games and bowl games, as well as most away games.
It’s really special just to be a part of his life and to be his son. Everybody sees him as this big figure, but to me he’s just dad. That’s probably the best way I can describe it. It’s a blessing that he and I are around for these anniversaries. To celebrate them with him is great. At games, we go right by gate 21 when we walk in and it’s kind of weird seeing his statue, but there’s no other way I’d have it.
His work ethic comes from both his upbringing and what he has learned in working with the football manager crew. As one who admittedly has never sought attention, his role with the team perfectly plays into that approach.
I definitely take pride in staying out of the spotlight. Hawk emphasizes that a lot. The day that the attention is on us, that’s not a good thing. We stay out of the limelight. I wouldn’t say we’re ‘unsung heroes’ but just getting the things done that people don’t see that goes into a gameday or into a practice. We just make sure everything runs smoothly like a well-oiled machine. We take a lot of pride in that.
Among his roles with the team is working with Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner. With that comes gaining the experience of working with a veteran coach whose intense coaching style is evident day in and day out.
It wasn’t any easier when I first got here. It was tough at first just to get adjusted to everything. He likes things a certain way. He knew who my dad was so he would get onto me and joke with me about that. I would be on the receiving end of the tough love shown on the field.
This is the second fall that I’ve been with him—two springs and two falls. I kind of just know what he likes and I know how everything works. Honestly, just to hear him talk to the players, be around him and get a little bit of that wisdom is great. It’s a lot different than some of the other positions, just with how well-respected he is.
Holloway Jr. had an evident impact in the positive character traits possessed by his son today, including perseverance and diligence.
I think one of the main things that he’s taught me is to always finish something that I start. With this job, even though I’m not a player, there are still long hours, tedious hours. It’s something where you could easily throw your hands up and say, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore,’ but his influence in that part of my life has given me the dedication and itch to always finish what I start.
It’s hard at first going into college with all of these players and coaches. It kind of smacks you in the face when you’re at 18-year-old. It’s easy to back away from it, but I stuck it out and I’m very blessed that I did.