Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mike Holder Press Conference Quotes
September 23, 2005 | Cowboy Golf
Opening Statement
“We call these orange letter days and this is another in a long line of them. This is a special day on the campus. We have Orange Peel tonight. It is a great student run event. It is even made more special because on this occasion we are here to introduce Mike Holder as our new athletic director.” On Mike Holder
“I cannot tell you how much confidence I have in this individual. We are absolutely convinced we are making the right choice and the strongest choice. If anybody ever doubts that, get in your car and drive to Karsten Creek (Golf Course). There is no finer facility of athletics, on any campus in America, than what you see there. That facility was a dream of Mike Holder. It is a creation of Mike Holder. It is paid for, it is debt free, it has money in the bank, and it is the top quality facility of its type anywhere on this planet. Mike has that kind of vision for Oklahoma State University's athletics. He has an impeccable record as a coach. He has a record of supporting student-athletes. He has tremendous support from students who have played for him. His student's have competed well in the classroom. Mike has proven he can raise money. The thing I like most about him is he is as orange as any person I have ever met. He loves this University. Mike Holder does not have to do this job. Mike wants to do this job because he wants to take Oklahoma State Athletics to another level.”
Vice Chair of the Regents for Oklahoma A&M Colleges Joe Hall
Opening Statement
“I am delighted and honored to be here today to represent the Board of Regents. Earlier today, in Miami (Okla.), we met and unanimously voted to support President Schmidly's recommendation of Mike Holder as Vice President of Athletics at Oklahoma State.”
On Mike Holder
“Mike brings vision and Mike brings direction to Oklahoma State University Athletics. He brings a proven track record of raising funds, building facilities and competing at the highest level.”
Vice President for Athletic Programs and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Holder
“I understand what a challenge this is. A lot of people might ask me ‘Why at 57 years of age would you want to take on this job?' I've pretty much had my feet on the handle bars coasting through life. I only know one thing and that's coaching golf. We built a good program here, and we're proud of that. I like working with young people, and I enjoy my job. I say this, and I say this often, I've never worked a day in my life. I've loved everything I've done.”
“Why would I want to try this job? I guess there is only one reason. I want to see how good we can be. I always tell my players that the opponent is not the guy you're playing against, and it's not the golf course. It's like that in all athletics and in life. Your opponent is yourself. The challenge is to find out how good you can be. How big are your dreams? How high can you stretch or how high can you reach? That's why I want to take this on. I want to find out just how good we can be at Oklahoma State University.”
“Today as I take on this challenge to be your athletic director, to represent you in a manner that you deserve — to work hard every day, to be loyal and to be passionate. What I'd like to do is challenge every Cowboy to do the same thing. Just look in the mirror and decide how good you think we can be.”
“Not everybody has a lot of money. That's not what we're asking for. There's a place for everyone in this athletic team that we're about to build. If you can't afford to come to the games, talk about your school and talk about it in positive terms. If you can come to the game, great. When you get there, be courteous to your opponents, because remember, that's not your opposition, that's just your measuring stick. If you don't have someone to play against, how do you know how well you are doing?”
“This is about a team. We're going to try to build a team from the top down or the bottom up, whichever way you want to look at it, and we're all in this together. No one sport is anymore important than the other. We're going to stress the ideals of the institution. We're going to strive for excellence in the classroom, and we're going to try to do the same thing on the field.”
“I hope this is a great day. It's not about me, it's about Oklahoma State University and its athletic program. Hopefully, it's the beginning of something pretty special. That's why I'm taking this big step. I'll need everyone's help. I don't profess to know anything about being an athletic director. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm pretty open minded, and I'm sure I've got a lot of people willing to coach me.”
On facilities
“It's hard to place a priority because we have so many needs in every sport. We've done a lot for football and basketball, and that only impacts one of our women's sports. We've got to do something for our women's sports in my opinion.”
On his job
“I'm not worried about myself so much as what kind of job can I do for all the people that are depending on me for leadership and guidance — especially in something I don't have any formal training for. But I've got passion, enthusiasm, I've got a good, strong work ethic and I've got big dreams, so hopefully that will carry me for the short term. I'll learn enough from my peers in a reasonable time that I'll be a real, functional athletic director.”
