John Calipari holds moment of silence honoring Bob Holt in place of first question
John Calipari‘s postgame press conferences are known for his often hilarious interactions with reporters.
But following Saturday night’s 75-60 win over UTSA, the first-year Arkansas head men’s basketball coach took a more somber tone following the recent passing of beloved Arkansas Democrat-Gazette beat writer Bob Holt earlier this week.
“I’ve been praying and thinking about Bob, and so happy what the school did today,” Calipari said Saturday night, via John Nabors. “He’d always be the first question and I didn’t get to be with him (long enough) to where if he were here, he and I would be great friends.”
Holt, 65, passed away Wednesday night following a recent medical emergency. Holt had covered the Arkansas Razorbacks for the past four decades, since graduating from Missouri in 1981, and was a beloved figure around both Fayetteville and the SEC at large given his thoughtful and inquisitive nature of asking questions.
“I’ve got great friends in the media, I’ve got other people that I avoid, I just do. Whether its (their) agenda or they’re nasty, I just avoid them,” Calipari continued. “But guys like him – and the media out there that know me, that know what I’m saying – know I have some great friends, and the rest of our lives we’d have been talking to each other.
“How about we give (Bob Holt) that first question, we’ll give him a moment of silence. … May he rest in peace. OK, questions?”
SEC honors Bob Holt with seat in championship game press box
The SEC honored Bob Holt during the conference’s championship game Saturday, leaving an empty chair in the press box, along with a photo of him.
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.
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.”
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