Knightly News

Stories of borrowed shoulder pads, a dilapidated bus and record-breaking athletic performances filled the Episcopal Athletic Field House as community members gathered to celebrate two legends of Knights sports. Marquis Williams ’93 and Coach Marvin Holland were recently inducted into the Episcopal Hall of Fame. Their impact reaches far beyond the field and is still felt today.

Marquis Williams graduated from Episcopal in 1993. He lettered in football and track and set numerous district, regional and state records. Some of his many accolades include:

1991 9-AA District Champions (Track)
1991 3-AA Regional Champions (Track)
1991 Class 2A Bi-District Champions (Football)
1991 9-2A All District (Football)
1991 EBR All Parish MVP Offense (Football)
1992 1000 yards rushing (First 1000-yard rusher since Richard Jackson in 1972.)

While Williams was a record-breaking athlete, his time at Episcopal involved much more than sports. Williams joined Episcopal in fifth grade and says he never felt like he didn’t belong. His teachers challenged and encouraged him and held him to high standards for learning and achieving. Looking back, he remembers teachers who helped him discover a passion for writing that he still has 30 years later and a talent for art that earned him a spot in the school’s annual “Troubadour.” At Episcopal, Williams had his first and only experience camping outdoors, and he still remembers the apple cider, warm fire and eerie sounds of shrieking elk.

Williams says it was an honor to represent Episcopal as a student athlete. “We were heavy hitters on the gridiron and Champions on the Track,” he remembers. “Other teams knew Episcopal was there to win.” Williams, whose father is a coach, learned important life lessons through competition. “There are many core values that still serve me today, but the top four for me are Hard work, Consistency, Integrity and Leadership.”

Coach Marvin Holland established a legacy of athletic excellence. In 1967, Father Webster tasked Coach Holland with creating the school’s first athletic program. As the Knights’ first Athletic Director and coach, Coach Holland started the JV and varsity football, basketball and track programs. His passion for sports and love for the players brought him the most joy throughout his coaching career. His stories of borrowing jerseys and pads from University High because Episcopal didn’t have the equipment and scrimmaging fellow teammates because there were so few Knights demonstrate the grit and determination of those first teams and their leader. Of course, he’ll never forget the tales of riding the Episcopal school bus named “Guinevere” to and from games.

Coach Holland’s accolades include two track district championships and four winning football seasons with a record of 24-13-1. He founded the Episcopal Squires Club, which continues today, and is proud to have started the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Program.

A Celebration of the Spirit of Episcopal

More than 80 members of the Episcopal community gathered in the field house to honor Williams and Coach Holland. As the two made their way to the 50-yard line during halftime, the Gold  Steppers, drum corps and cheerleaders welcomed them. Past Hall of Fame inductees also joined them on the field. Episcopal Alumni Coordinator Lindsay Turner was inspired by the spirit of the evening and witnessing such a gathering. “Connecting our current student body with our alumni is an important part of keeping the history of Episcopal alive,” she says. With that in mind, Turner and athletic administrators also recognized members of the Knights of the Roundtable as honorary members of the Episcopal Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Current Athletic Director Randy Richard says Hall of Fame induction means a lot. “Becoming part of our school's Athletic Hall of Fame is a tribute to the unwavering commitment, relentless effort, and enduring legacy that define the heart of an athlete,” he says. “It’s also a way to loosely honor the inductees‘ fellow student athletes and community members that contributed to their success. Seeing all the folks come out to celebrate our two inductees this year, Marquis and Coach Holland, was an awesome scene!”

Congratulations to Marquis and Coach Holland! 

Is there a former Episcopal athlete or contributor that you would like to see recognized in the Hall of Fame? Nominate them here for the 2024 Hall of Fame.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.