Happy birthday to former OSU athletic director Mike Holder: A look back at his career
- Stephen Pingry
- Aug 17, 2024
He retired in July 2021, handing the reigns to current OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg.
Take a look back at his career:
In 1987, former OSU golf coach Labron Harris (left) and then-OSU golf coach Mike Holder show off the hardware won by the OSU men's golf program. Holder took over the OSU golf program in 1973 and guided it for 32 years.
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Pictured in 1987, Mike Holder coached the Oklahoma State golf program from 1973 through 2005. There were eight national titles, 25 conference titles and 38 first-team All-Americans.
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During his OSU coaching career, Mike Holder (left) won eight national titles and coached marquee players such as Hunter Mahan (right), a current PGA Tour player.
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In 1997, Mike Holder poses for a photo at Southern Hills.
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Oklahoma State's Par Nilsson leans to see his approach shot as golf coach Mike Holder looks on at Karsten Creek in 2001. His final year of coaching golf would be 2005.
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On Sept. 16, 2005, Mike Holder was introduced as Oklahoma State’s new athletic director. “I want to find out how good we can be at Oklahoma State University,“ he said.
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Mike Holder, football coach Mike Gundy and T. Boone Pickens talk during a media event to showcase OSU's new locker rooms and other training facilities on Aug. 17, 2009.
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Mike Holder, T. Boone Pickens and Burns Hargis talk during a press conference in August 2009. Holder says Pickens’ overall donations to the athletic department exceed $300 million.
Photo by Stephen Pingry, Tulsa World Archive
Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder, OSU president Burns Hargis his wife, Ann, Gov. Mary Fallin and T. Boone Pickens (sitting a row up) and others stand as family members leave after the memorial service for Kurt Budke, Miranda Serna, Olin and Paula Branstetter on Nov. 21, 2011 at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
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Specific to OSU’s stadium renovation, T. Boone Pickens donated $20 million in 2003 and $63 million in 2008. The project was taken to a much higher level, however, when Mike Holder persuaded Pickens to give $165 million. It was the largest single donation ever made to any American university’s athletic department, and it was announced in January 2006.
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Together for T. Boone Pickens' 90th birthday party were four Oklahoma State leadership figures: from left, football coach Mike Gundy, athletic director Mike Holder, Gundy and university President Burns Hargis.
Photo by Bill Haisten, Tulsa World Archive
Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder (left), stands next to Cowboys strength coach Rob Glass on June 19, 2018.
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OSU AD Mike Holder introduces new men's basketball head coach Mike Boynton at press conference in Stillwater, OK, Mar. 27, 2017.
Photo by Stephen Pingry, Tulsa World Archive
OSU basketball player Davon Dillard speaks with Cowboys athletic director Mike Holder on March 27.
Photo by Bill Haisten, Tulsa World Archive
Oklahoma State University head golf coach Mike Holder stands in the Hall of Trophies at Karsten Creek on April 23, 2003.
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Oklahoma State Athletic Director Mike Holder wipes a tear from his eye while Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy speaks to the crowd during The Celebration of Life of businessman and Oklahoma State Alumni T. Boone Pickens at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019.
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