Avery Holley came to FAU last fall with one goal in mind: to become the first Owl to play both football and basketball in the same year. By playing wide receiver on the field during the fall and point guard on the court over the winter, Holley met his high aspirations within his first year at FAU.
Although his basketball season was cut short by a shoulder injury, Holley proved to be a valuable member of both teams as a freshman.
Holley began last fall’s football season as the Owl’s primary kick returner. As one of five freshmen who did not red shirt (sit out a season to preserve eligibility) during the season, Holley played in 11 games with at least one reception (catching the ball thrown by the quaterback) in each. Holley’s first touchdown came early in the season against Louisiana Monroe. Holley also had multiple grabs in four games with the most coming against Southern Utah, where he had four catches and 47 yards, including his second collegiate touchdown.
Without a layoff, Holley jumped right into basketball season in spring. He missed the first few games due to overlapping schedules, but once Holley joined the squad, he was a steady contributor. The freshman saw action in 16 games, starting for eight. He averaged 5.3 points per game and totaled 42 assists in 15.5 minutes of action per game. Unfortunately, Holley’s season was shortened due to an aggravated shoulder that was originally injured in high school. He sat out the spring football season rehabbing from surgery in order to be ready for the start of this year’s ’07 football season.
Despite injuries, Holley insists that he has the desire to keep playing and that his body is in shape for it.
“Football is physical. Everybody is like a man and going hard,” Holley says. “Basketball it’s all conditioning because you’re always running.”
Entering his sophomore year at FAU, Holley has had no shortage of highlights in his athletic career. Before making the short trip up I-95 to Boca Raton, he starred at Ely High School in Pompano Beach.
“My high school has a great tradition, we have the most NFL players,” Holley says. “They come back and give to the community. I want to be part of that and I am always going back there.”
FAU football Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger has endorsed Holley as a unique and outstanding player, quite a claim from a coach that has seen it all.
“He has the ability, time and the desire to play both sports. When he develops and grows he will find his identity,” Schnellenberger says. “I would probably see him most like Ernest Gibbons who was a first round draft choice of the Houston Oilers.”
FAU basketball Head Coach Rex Walters said that Holley is talented, hard-nosed and has a very good feel for the game. Walters believes that Holley is very effective at his guard position and that he still has a lot to learn.
“Avery is very Allen Iverson-like,” Walters says. “He is very, very skinny and very, very quick and tough.”
In fact, both coaches say Holley’s speed is literally what separates him from his competition.
Having played both sports for 14 years, Holley is no stranger to the dedication that they demand. Holley said that it was his father who helped spark his love for football and he’s been playing since he was six years old.
“It’s an equal support system in my family,” Holley says. “But as far as someone who is always around and is always going to be there, that’d be my dad.”
Holley wants to play professionally, whether it is basketball or football, and hopes to coach one day.
“I want to coach in my community,” Holley says. “I come from a place where the odds are stacked against you and I want to help someone else.”
When he’s off the court and the gridiron, Holley says that he likes to shop and considers himself a prankster.
Sophomore Paul Graham, a teammate on the basketball team, calls Holley a great guy who is always “funny and outgoing.”
“We’re kind of close,” Graham says. “We talk about different situations. I give him pointers to keep his head on straight.”
Holley came to FAU because the university allowed him to play both sports. He wanted to be part of both sports, as well as staying close to home.
“I plan on staying here,” Holley says. “As long as they treat me right and I take care of my academics.”
Holley will be on the field for the Owl’s first home game on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. in Lockhart Stadium. For more information on FAU sports and the football schedule, visit www.fausports.com.
