College Sports Information Directors of America

courtesy of Whitman College's The Fountain newsletter

Over the weekend, members of the Whitman community began to hear the crushing news that Dave Holden, sports information director, suffered a fatal heart attack on Friday, Aug. 3.

Holden came to Whitman in 1989 as a news services officer, working in the Communications Office. In 1994, sports information responsibilities were added to his position, and in 2006 Whitman made the SID position full-time. Dave transitioned to the athletics department and continued to contribute sports news to Whitman Magazine.

Prior to Whitman, he was an editor, journalist and photographer for the Milton-Freewater Valley Herald and the Hermiston Herald and later served as a marketing and public relations officer for a hospital. He graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in journalism and political science, and through the course of his journalism career earned 20 reporting, editorial and photography awards in state and national competitions.

In addition to his love of sports – especially baseball – Holden was known for his quiet and brilliant sense of humor and his wonderful writing style and story-telling abilities. He filled his office with mementos and memorabilia reflective of baseball and journalism, including antique baseball gloves and a typewriter.

The Whitman community is invited to join the Holden family – wife Janice; children Dusty, Adam and Emily; and extended family – at a remembrance event Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Borleske Stadium at 7:05 p.m., to be led by Adam Kirtley, Stuart Coordinator of Religious and Spiritual Life. A reception will follow in Sherwood Center Hall of Fame Foyer.

About Dave, Athletic Director Dean Snider says: “This is shocking news to all of us here at the college and especially those of us in SSRA who knew and appreciated him so much. Dave loved his work. He loved watching our students compete and loved telling their stories. A better man I do not know. He will be greatly missed… incalculably so. In times of grief a community supports one another. I know you join with me and all our Whitman athletic community to support the Holden family by keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.”

Should you wish to send a written note or expression of support, email thefountain@whitman.edu for the mailing address or send an email note to Snider at sniderdc@whitman.edu and he will forward them to the family.

Or, feel free to post a sentiment on the Remembering Dave Holden Facebook page.

Memorial Gifts

Memorial gifts should be directed to the Blue Mountain Babe Ruth Baseball Improvement Fund, for construction costs of a new baseball field. Send donations to:

Bruce Mason
54055 Summers Lane
Milton-Freewater, OR 97862

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