Longtime Basketball Coach and Alexandria Native Woollum Dies

The state’s athletics community is mourning the loss of Alexandria native C.J. Woollum, a longtime men’s basketball coach and athletics director at Christopher Newport University. Woollum passed away Wednesday following a battle with brain cancer. He was 64.

Woollum, who attended Mount Vernon Community School and George Washington High School in Del Ray, coached basketball at the Newport News school from 1984 to 2010, winning 502 games and leading the Captains to NCAA Tournament appearances. He also served as the university’s athletic director for 25 years beginning in 1987. 

“His tireless efforts had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of student-athletes, coaches and colleagues,” reads a statement on the CNU website. “C.J. led Christopher Newport Athletics to heights never before seen, and he will be remembered forever for his determination, loyalty, and amazing success.”

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Freeman Center on the CNU campus.

For more information on Woollum, click here.