2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 716
Commending Anthony Guy Bennett.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2025
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025
WHEREAS, Anthony Guy Bennett, an acclaimed basketball player and coach and beloved member of the University of Virginia community, retired from his position as the Dean and Markel Families Men's Head Basketball Coach of the University of Virginia in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Tony Guy Bennett was born in 1969 in Wisconsin to Dick and Anne Bennett and played basketball at Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was named Mr. Basketball as a senior; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and set a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record with a career three-point percentage of 49.7 percent; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett was selected in the second round of the 1992 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft and played three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before playing in Australia and New Zealand; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett began his basketball coaching career in New Zealand, and later served on the coaching staffs of the University of Wisconsin and Washington State University; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett, as head coach, led the Washington State Cougars to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett was named the head men's basketball coach at the University of Virginia in 2009, and he announced his desire to build a program that lasts at the university; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett led the Virginia Cavaliers to the 2013-14 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season title, the ACC Tournament championship title, and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett led his team with grace in defeat in 2018 and persevered to lead his team to the University of Virginia's first ever men's basketball national championship in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett guided his teams with his five pillars of humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness, and many of his players went on to play in the NBA and other professional leagues; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett's pack-line defense was regarded as the model for elite defense in college basketball and was a key part of his teams' success over the years; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett coached for 15 seasons at the University of Virginia, compiling a 364-136 record, a national championship, two ACC Tournament titles, six ACC regular season championships, and 10 NCAA tournament appearances; he retires as the winningest coach in program history; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his accomplishments, Tony Bennett was named the ACC Coach of the Year four times and was presented the United States Basketball Writers Association's Henry Iba Award for national coach of the year three times; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett is devoted to his family and his faith, and in retirement he will have more opportunities to spend quality time with his wife and children; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett's leadership and integrity made an impact on the lives of players, coaches, and fans, and his legacy will be cherished by the University of Virginia community for years to come; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Anthony Guy Bennett for a lifetime of achievement and significance on and off the basketball court; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Anthony Guy Bennett as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his leadership and best wishes for the future.