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Oklahoma State University names Mike Holder Vice President for Athletics

Friday, September 16, 2005

MIAMI , Oklahoma -- Oklahoma State University System CEO and President David J. Schmidly recommended to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents today that successful and long-time OSU golf coach Mike Holder be named Vice President for Athletic Programs and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at OSU.

The OSU/A&M Regents accepted President’s Schmidly’s recommendation, which was made after a 15-member search committee forwarded a unanimous recommendation in favor of Holder to Schmidly.

Regent Chair Burns Hargis commended the search committee for its efforts and complimented the leadership of OSU alum and Tulsa businessman John Clerico in heading the search.

“I am pleased that Mike will lead our athletic department at OSU,” Hargis said. “He brings a level of knowledge and experience about OSU as well as a proven track record of excellence in developing national championship teams and nationally recognized facilities, all within budget. I know he will strive to replicate that experience throughout OSU athletics.”

“We are delighted to have Mike Holder take the reins of our athletic department,” said Schmidly. “He has a true passion for OSU and is committed to graduating student-athletes, strengthening our athletic budget and improving our national ranking in every sport.

“He has built a quality golf program based on sound fiscal practices and first-rate facilities. And now Mike will be able to extend his leadership and apply his successful approaches on a broader scale to our entire athletic department,” Schmidly said “I am also confident Mike will contribute a great deal to the life of OSU and this community as a member of our executive leadership team.”

Holder, who has been at OSU since arriving in Stillwater as a student-athlete in 1966, replaces Harry Birdwell, who announced his resignation as athletic director in June. The appointment is effective immediately.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity and want to thank the Board of Regents and President Schmidly for this vote of confidence,” said Holder. “I am committed to our university, alumni, students, student-athletes and fans to work hard and build successful programs in all of our sports.”

“Our number one challenge is reducing our athletic debt while continuing to build the quality facilities we need to recruit and compete at the highest level in both men’s and women’s sports,” Holder said. “We will continue to work hard to help our student-athletes excel in the classroom and in their sports. I look forward to working with our entire athletic department team, the executive leadership team, faculty and students to help OSU be the very best.”

Schmidly said the new Vice President title better reflects the executive responsibilities of the position and the seamless interaction expected with the executive leadership of the university. “The VP for Athletics will work closely with the entire OSU leadership team to better integrate athletics into the overall university mission,” said Schmidly.

Tulsa businessman and OSU alumnus John Clerico chaired the VP for Athletics search committee and said the committee was unanimous in recommending Holder. “Our consultant did an excellent job of conducting a broad national search and identifying a number of fully qualified candidates. When we analyzed these candidates and Mike Holder’s outstanding record of accomplishments, his passion for OSU and his vision for athletics, we became convinced that Mike was the best person for our position.”

Schmidly said Holder’s experience, abilities and success make him a natural to lead OSU athletics. “Mike brings the executive-level skills needed to operate a $30-to-$40 million dollar business. He knows how to build major projects as evidenced by Karsten Creek. He has the business and marketing skills you need to be successful in athletics today. And he knows how to develop highly successful student-athletes. I also want to thank Dave Martin for filling in as interim AD. Dave is a loyal and respected leader.”

After playing golf and graduating from OSU in 1970 with a degree in marketing, Holder earned his MBA at OSU in 1973 and then became OSU’s head golf coach that same year. In 32 years as head coach, his teams have set standards that are unequalled on the golf course as well as in the classroom.

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