The Virginia Cavaliers athletic department will properly honor former legendary basketball coach Tony Bennett by naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him.
From January 24th on, the basketball court that calls John Paul Jones Arena home will forever be known as “Tony Bennett Court,” and rightfully so. The recognition will happen before the ‘Hoos take on North Carolina on Saturday, 1/24, with Bennett in attendance.
After 15 seasons with Virginia, Bennett came to the abrupt decision to retire weeks before the 2025 season tipped. After the smoke cleared and the season was underway, the athletic department honored him by raising a banner during halftime of an ACC game against Georgia Tech, bearing his name, which will remain in John Paul Jones Arena forever. This event was always going to be a placeholder for what was to come, and that is a permanent mark on the court with his signature on it.
Tony Bennett led the program with class, the five pillars of humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness, all of which helped him accomplish his goal of building a program that lasts.
Throughout his tenure of the 15-year “loan” as the lead man in Charlottesville, he guided Virginia to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, six ACC regular season titles, two ACC tournament championships, and the program’s first national championship.
He is the winningest coach in Virginia basketball history with 364 total wins, but there is no “Tony Bennett Court” without the loss. Tony Bennett was a great coach before the loss to UMBC in the first round of the 2018 NCAA tournament, but he was an even better coach and leader of men because of how he handled and responded to the lowest moment in his career.
His most significant accomplishment as a coach wouldn’t have happened without his lowest moment; very few can say that.
No amount of “Thank-yous” will suffice when tipping your cap to Tony Bennett, but a permanent signature on the hardwood where the Virignia Cavaliers play basketball is the ultimate sign of appreciation to a coach from a program and a fan base.
