SEC honors Bob Holt with seat in press box during championship game
The SEC is honoring late beat writer Bob Holt during the conference championship on Saturday. The league left an empty chair in the press box, along with a photo of him.
Holt – who covered Arkansas for the Democrat-Gazette – passed away earlier this week at the age of 65 after suffering a medical emergency. Since news came out about his death, tributes poured in from across the college football world.
Holt was a staple at SEC Media Days and conference events throughout the year. The league acknowledged his absence in a heartfelt way ahead of the matchup between Georgia and Texas for the league title.
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.
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“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.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey also released a statement about Holt’s death. He offered his condolences to his family while recalling their interactions at SEC Media Days and other events.
“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.”