Congratulations to the Mildred Ball Award Winner: Roger Holder
Roger Holder gives thanks to his Lord Jesus Christ for giving him the temperament, dedication and love of basketball that have allowed him to officiate for more than 42 years. He thanks his loving (and forgiving) wife, Anita, for giving up all her Fridays and Saturdays for many, many years. He also gives credit to his longtime partner, Ed Scahill, for making him a better official.
Holder started refereeing intramurals at Ball State in 1969 and enjoyed it so much he dedicated himself to it. He has refereed the boys and girls state tournament. He refereed the Hall of Fame Classic at Indiana University when Eric Montross and Lawrence North faced off against Bedford North Lawrence led by Damon Bailey. He also was honored to work the Hall of Fame final at Lafayette Jeff when Shawn Kemp ran out of gas and Concord was defeated by scrappy Lafayette Central Catholic.
Holder received the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s Center Circle Award in 2010. He now serves as an Associate Director for the Hall of Fame and chairs a selection committee for the Center Circle Award.
As an official, Holder always was careful to have the rules memorized to perfection as he served the IHSAA as a state rules interpreter for nine years. He always believed in being physically and mentally prepared, and he never forgot that the game was for the players. Giving back to the kids is why he has secured the officials for the annual Lions Club Hancock-Shelby County charity basketball game each year since its inception.
Holder still works games on occasion, but his knees have seen better days so he is careful not to do it too often. His other sports of football and softball are far less physically demanding.
A retired school principal, Holder has said: “Who else but a principal gets to referee both during his day job and in his evening avocation?”
Loving sports and kids makes Roger Holder a perfect match for both his “jobs.”
