Greg Sankey mourns loss of Bob Holt, releases heartfelt statement

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey sent his condolences for the passing of longtime SEC and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Bob Holt in a statement released by the league’s social media account Wednesday morning.

Holt, who covered his homestate Arkansas Razorbacks for more than four decades, passed away Wednesday night, according to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports columnist Wally Hall. Holt was 65.

The Southeastern Conference mourns the loss of longtime sports reporter, Bob Holt.

The @SEC sends its condolences to his family, colleagues, and many friends. pic.twitter.com/faxSRqo4Nt

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) December 5, 2024

“Bob Holt was a legend in the Southeastern Conference media corps and a friend to everyone,” Sankey’s statement read. “He played a starring role in our annual Football Media Days and I will miss hearing him challenge our coaches with both insightful questions and witty retorts. He will be missed in press boxes and press rows across the SEC. We send our condolences to Bob’s family, his colleagues at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and his many friends.”

Sankey suggests SEC media honors Holt at SEC Media Days

Sankey added a more personal message in a quote-tweet, proposing the assembled SEC media honor Holt by giving him the first question at the 2025 Football SEC Media Days event.

“Bob brought a smile to every conversation,” Sankey wrote. “We are sad to have lost him but are grateful for the memories. At 2025 SEC Football Media Days we need to leave the first question unasked as Bob often provided that first question. We all will miss Bob.”

Holt, a 1981 graduate of Missouri’s famed journalism school, spent his entire career covering the Razorbacks. He was named Arkansas Sportswriter of the Year four times and a member of the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Holt was also a member of the Football Writers Association of America, on the board of directors for the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and voter for the Heisman Trophy and AP Top 25 basketball poll, according to the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette website.

“We are saddened to hear the news of the loss of longtime Arkansas sportswriter Bob Holt,” wrote Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, early Thursday. “Bob was the consumate journalist who helped tell the stories of Razorback student-athletes, coaches and fans to millions of readers across our state and beyond for four decades. His never ending curiosity was genuine and allowed him to be inquisitive in a way that would allow him to get to the heart of any topic. Bob will be missed by many in our Razorback Family, throughout the Southeastern Conference and within collegiate athletics. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”