A UVA Wrestling alum interred at Arlington National Cemetery last week left a $1.15 million gift to the program that will endow a scholarship in his name.
Dr. Colin G. Steele, 91, most recently of Winchester, was a two-time ACC champ in the 123-pound weight class, in 1955 and 1956, before a career in the U.S. Navy that ended with him being stationed at the Pentagon.
Upon his retirement from the Navy, Steele, a Norfolk native, transitioned into teaching and coaching at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland, where he taught the school’s first classes in AP physics and earth sciences.
Now Steele’s legacy will live on at his alma mater, through the Colin G. Steele Bicentennial Scholarship.
“Colin Steele’s impact on the University of Virginia extended far beyond the wrestling mat,” said Kevin Miller, executive director of the Virginia Athletics Foundation. “He was a proud Cavalier, a decorated veteran, and a dedicated educator whose passion for Virginia Wrestling and commitment to serving others defined his remarkable life.
“Through his extraordinary generosity in establishing the Colin G. Steele Bicentennial Scholarship, his legacy will continue to shape the lives of student-athletes for generations to come. We are profoundly grateful for Colin’s lifelong commitment to Virginia and for the remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and generosity he leaves behind,” Miller said.
The endowed scholarship will cover the costs of one of the 30 scholarships that the UVA Wrestling program is allowed under NCAA rules.
“Colin was such a strong supporter of this program,” said Steve Garland, the 20-year UVA head coach and a 2000 UVA alum who was the 1997 ACC champ in the 125-pound weight class. “He absolutely loved Virginia Wrestling. He was so grateful for his time here, and I am grateful that I had a chance to become friends with him over the years. My fondest memory of Colin is taking him up to New York with us for a tournament. He was literally on the mat showing guys moves in between bouts. It was so cool to see a guy at that stage in life still so passionate about the sport.
“He was also very passionate about passing on the lessons learned and wisdom gained from his experiences at the University of Virginia to our wrestlers over the years. I remember him coming into the locker room before one of our biggest dual meets of the year and giving the team a motivational speech,” Garland said.
“I just want to say how thankful we all are for his generosity. The gift he left for this program will help us more than he probably ever could have realized,” Garland said.
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