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Arkansas pays tribute to longtime Razorback journalist
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

John Calipari, Arkansas players pay tribute to longtime Razorback journalist

By Samuel Stubbs  |  Last updated Dec 7, 2024 8:47 PM ET

On Wednesday, the state of Arkansas lost one of the best sports journalists to ever cover the Razorbacks. 

Bob Holt, who covered Razorback athletics for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 1981, died on Dec. 4 after collapsing at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. Holt was in Columbia to cover Arkansas' game with Missouri — his alma mater. 

Tributes immediately poured in from fellow journalists, coaches and athletes. The Southeastern Conference placed a memorial for Holt in his usual press box seat at the SEC Championship Game, and the Arkansas athletic department made sure his front-row seat in the media room at Bud Walton Arena was reserved. 

Following Arkansas' 75-60 victory over UTSA on Saturday, head coach John Calipari — who said after Tuesday's game vs. Miami that he was keeping Holt in his prayers — and Razorback players paid their respects.

"He'd always be the first question," Calipari said of Holt in his postgame news conference. "The rest of our lives, we would've been talking to each other. May he rest in peace." 

Calipari proceeded to lead a moment of silence, allowing Holt to ask the first question, per usual.

Both the Arkansas women's basketball and men's basketball programs honored Holt with tributes before their respective games. 

Holt's impact on Arkansas coverage and his commitment to Razorback fans will never be forgotten. 

Samuel Stubbs
Twitter/X

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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