The Roanoke Valley sports family lost a great friend last week when Dan Wooldridge passed at the age of 90 on August 20. He was a larger than life figure in the valley who touched lives in many walks of life.
The thing you heard most when Dan’s name came up was that “he was a good guy.” I know every time I saw him he had a big smile and friendly “how are you doin’ Hoops?” that was warm and sincere.
Dan came from humble beginnings, growing up in foster care, to become one of the most respected basketball officials in the country. When former Duke coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski came to the Cregger Center in Salem to see his grandson play in December of 2022 he visited with Dan and shared memories of past games.
Dan refereed many games RC legend Charlie Moir coached, and Charlie’s son Page, who also coached Roanoke, knew Dan well.
“So many things to say about Dan, but what an amazing life and legacy,” said Page. “I first knew Dan as an accomplished official, doing Roanoke College games, as well as being recognized as one of the best in
the nation for many years. No doubt that our region has an extraordinary number of officials that have made a positive mark on a national stage that got their start and were nurtured along by Dan.
“Of course, we all recognize him as the driving force behind the creation of the ODAC, and along with Carey Harveycutter, the reason Salem is the City of Champions. His vision and network have created a
legacy in our region that is absolutely incredible.
“And more than all this,” Page added. “He was a good man, and enjoyable to be around.”
Of the many aspects of Dan’s sports life his work with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference is among the tops in the Roanoke Valley.
Current commissioner Brad Bankston worked with Dan for many years before succeeding him as commissioner.
“Dan set the foundation for the ODAC and provided the energy to create a Division III athletic conference that will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary next academic year,” said Bankston. “His love for sports and
our membership was infectious. This past winter was the first time I can remember that he was not sitting at the end of the press table watching the entire set of games. His love for the league will be missed greatly.
“Dan did a lot of things behind the scenes. One of the common themes you will hear from people is, ‘Dan gave me my start.’ That could have been in officiating, athletics administration, insurance sales, teaching,
etc. He was always connecting and building relationships throughout his professional career. He provided that opportunity to me when I started working for the conference out of graduate school. It was his belief in me
that placed me in a role I have cherished since our introduction in the mid- 1990s.
“He was a great mentor. There will be a void in my personal and professional life moving forward. His counsel and support was always there.”
A graduate of Lynchburg College, Dan played multiple sports for the Hornets is a member of the Lynchburg College Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame and was a
co-founder and Hall of Fame honoree of the Western Virginia Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was involved in numerous civic organizations in the Roanoke Valley and he and his wife Nancy were
friends to many.
“Dan was just a great friend to me personally and to Salem,” said Carey Harveycutter, Director of the Salem Civic Center for many years. “Without Dan Wooldridge and his vision I really do not think Salem would be as strong as we are in Sports Marketing. It was Dan’s idea to hold the ODAC Basketball Championship in Salem. First it was just the men then, when women’s sports entered the NCAA, we also hosted the women’s championship. The NCAA Basketball Championship would never have found its way to Salem had the city and the Salem Rotary Club not presented an outstanding championship.”
Dan was also credited with bringing the NCAA Division III championship Stagg Bowl to Salem.
“The Stagg Bowl was Dan’s idea from day one,” said Harveycutter. “He had been a referee at the game in Phenix City, AL and thought the valley could do it better. He first went to Roanoke, then when nothing happened came to us, starting with mayor Jim Taliaferro. The rest is history.
“Dan worked diligently for many years to make our championships the best imaginable for the student athletes.”
Wooldridge’s life in sports may be unsurpassed among people who passed through the Roanoke Valley. He officiated college basketball for 23 years, highlighted by 21 years in the ACC and 13 NCAA postseason
tournaments. He represented the United States as one of two American basketball officials at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow prior to the American boycott. He also officiated NCAA Division I Football in the Southern Conference for 26 years, became the first Commissioner of the Old
Dominion Athletic Association, and served as Supervisor of Basketball Officiating for the Colonial Athletic Association and Supervisor of Football Officiating for the Big East Conference.
He coached high school baseball and football at William Fleming. He played minor league baseball for the Salem Pirates. He coached American Legion Baseball. You wonder how he got all this done in just 90 years!! He was truly an extraordinary man and we were so blessed to have had him pass our way.
A celebration of Dan and his late wife Nancy’s lives will be held at the Antrim Chapel at Roanoke College this Saturday, August 31.
