Elizabeth City State University Athletics

Ralph E. Holloway, Jr. grew up in Williamston, SC, and attended Spearman High School for 9th and 10th grade and graduated from Palmetto High School in 1971 where he shined in football, basketball, track, and field. He helped lead the Palmetto football team to a 3A State Championship during the 1970 season and earned a scholarship the following year to Elizabeth City State University.

While at ECSU from 1971 to 1975 Holloway earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. He also earned a Master of Arts in Education in 1991 from East Carolina University. He was a four-year starter at outside linebacker for the Viking football team and a member of the 1971 CIAA Championship Team. He was named to the 1973-74 NAIA District 29 All Star Team and was also a team captain.

After graduating Elizabeth City State University in 1975 he embarked on a teaching and coaching career in Kinston, NC, teaching elementary physical education and coaching high school football and track. In 1983 after eight years in Kinston he and his family moved to Burlington, NC where he taught physical science and was an assistant football coach and head women’s track and field coach at Cummings High School. In 1988 while serving as defensive coordinator the football team finished the season 15-0 and 3A State Champions. That would not be the only ring Holloway would earn while at the Alamance County school. He coached the girls track and field team to back-to-back state crowns in 1987 and 1988.

After six years at Burlington Cummings High School, Holloway returned to Kinston High School in 1989 as head football coach and assistant principal and served as athletic director for nine years. In 1998 he moved to West Carteret High School in Carteret County, NC where he worked as assistant principal and athletic director. In 2001 he was appointed principal at East Carteret High School, in Beaufort, NC and worked there for ten years until his retirement in 2011.

Holloway continues to live in Morehead City, NC with his wife Jeffrie Thompson. Holloway and enjoy visits from their son Elliott III, wife Laura and grand boys Elliott IV, Grayson and Noah.

Holloway is going into the ECSU Hall of Fame after a thirty-six-year career in education. He is also in the Palmetto (S.C) High School Hall of Fame as an athlete, the Cummings High School Hall of Fame as a coach, the N.C. Athletics Directors Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.