(GREENVILLE)  – On the heels of landing the football program in the Big East conference, East Carolina Athletics Director Terry Holland is stepping down once a replacement is named. He will move into an athletics director emeritus role, upon selection of a successor, according to school officals.

In addition, ECU announced that its Olympic Sports Complex, a four-venue state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2011, will be named the Terry Holland Olympic Sports Complex.   

Holland requested the change in his role, according to Chancellor Steve Ballard. The ECU Board of Trustees reviewed and supported the change and the naming during meetings on Nov. 30 and Dec. 10. Holland will continue to provide active oversight of the department's daily operations until a new athletics director is appointed.  He will continue to report directly to Ballard through Dec. 31, 2014, as provided in his current employment contract.

“Terry Holland has served ECU with distinction since 2004 and has been a close colleague and valued leader as we pursued bold goals and strong aspirations for the future,” Ballard said. “The success of our teams, the growth of our finances, the evolution of world class facilities, and our acceptance into the BIG EAST — all of these goals have greatly benefited from Terry’s energy and vision.”

Holland, 70, said he’s been contemplating the next step in his 48-year career in college athletics.

"Early in 2012, the chancellor and I began to discuss the future of the East Carolina University athletics program," Holland said. "Specifically, we talked about the options available that might ensure a smooth and flexible leadership transition. It was my suggestion that a move to athletics director emeritus could allow such a transition, and over the course of the summer, we exchanged ideas on how that might work with guidance from University Attorney Donna Payne.”

Ballard said Holland’s broad contributions will be reflected in the name of the newest feature on the athletics grounds at ECU. The Terry Holland Olympic Sports Complex is a $24 million facility that includes 1,000-seat soccer and softball stadiums, a stand-alone eight-lane polyurethane track and a 20,000-square-foot administrative building that serves all of the Pirates' Olympic sports.

The chairman of the ECU Board of Trustees noted Holland’s vision in improving the already-solid and spirited fan base of Pirate sports.

“Without a doubt the strength of ECU is its strong fan base and Terry Holland more than anyone has helped develop and contribute to that strength. He has been the architect of 50,000 fans cheering on a Saturday afternoon in Dowdy-Ficklen,” said Bob Lucas.

As the university begins searching for a new athletics director, Ballard will rely on advice and support from Holland during the conference transition process. ECU accepted football-only membership in the Big East Conference on Nov. 27, while the other 18 teams are seeking a competitive environment before leaving Conference USA on June 30, 2014.

Holland‘s primary responsibilities will focus on development activities benefitting projects, goals and the mission of East Carolina's athletic programs. He will also play a key support role in the creation and implementation of strategic planning efforts.

Upon the appointment of new leadership, Holland said the emeritus role will enable him to "assist the director of athletics in whatever manner is most helpful to the success of East Carolina University, and when available, add ancillary support for the chancellor and other university administrators on special projects.