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Mickey Holmes Obituary
Holmes died Wednesday after a long illness, said Sugar Bowl spokesman John Sudsbury.
A native of Maynard, Iowa, Holmes was executive director of the college football event from 1979 to 1993, beginning and ending his Sugar Bowl tenure with Alabama winning national championships there.
He was integral in continuing the Sugar Bowl's partnership with the Southeastern Conference.
"Mickey Holmes was one of the key people behind putting the Sugar Bowl into the position to be what it is today," said Allstate Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Paul Hoolahan. "He took over the event in a time of increased competition among bowls and lifted the stature of the game even higher than it had already been."
Holmes took over the management of the Suga r Bowl in May 1979. His first Sugar Bowl as its executive director came a few months later when Bryant won his final national title on Jan. 1, 1980. Bryant's undefeated Alabama team beat coach Lou Holtz's Arkansas squad 24-9.
The next year, Dooley and his Georgia team - powered by star running back Herschel Walker - won the national title, beating Notre Dame 17-10 to complete an undefeated season.
Paterno earned his first national championship in 1983 at the Sugar Bowl with a 27-23 win over Dooley and Georgia in a battle of the top two teams in the nation.
Holmes' final Sugar Bowl as director came a decade later when No. 2 Alabama defeated No. 1 Miami 34-13 for the national championship.
He had served in athletic conference administration for nearly 20 years before joining the Sugar Bowl. In 1964, he was an assistant commissioner with the Big Eight Conference and was commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference in 1972.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
23 Entries
Josie Athey
December 4, 2010
Judy,
We were so sorry to hear Mick's news and now even sorrier it has taken me so long to try to contact you. We had no information as to your address and now almost accidentally found this page. Hope you are all well and please receive our very delayed sympathies. We will always remember him with great affection.
October 28, 2010
Dear Judy,
I was so surprised when I contacted you today by email to find out about Mickey's passing....I didn't catch the memorial in the newspaper. I enjoyed my years of knowing you and Mickey during my CW Rotary years, and was always intrigued to hear Mickey's Stories. I only knew Mickey during his failing health, but always enjoyed taking time to sit and talk with him. I certainly got to know the two of you better during the sale of your home here in Womelsdorf, and I'll never forget your moving day.....Mickey sitting on the front porch, the TV playing watching the flood waters rising in New Orleans......what a dismal day, not only moving from the Big Metropolus of Womelsdorf....loading that big truck.....but him wondering what was actually going to happen as the hours passed by in his beloved city of New Orleans. I'll never forget the story of your Son, who flew up to assist in the move telling me of he and his wife's evacuation before he left....loading up their cats to head to her mothers, and he to the airport to come north to help move.....Never knowing if his home would be there when he got back home. Mickey endured allot of physical challenges, but always came back with a fighting spirit.....God Bless You during this tragic time, but may the thought that Mickey is no longer dealing with his physical problems in Heaven give you comfort in letting him go....I wish I could be with you in New Orleans to let some of his ashes fly !
You've always got a place here in Womey if you want to come back for a visit, we're like Motel 6....we'll turn down the bed for you and leave the light on......I'll even come pick you up at the airport !
My sincerest condolences !
Wanda Moore (Womelsdorf, PA)
September 21, 2010
Dear Judy, I'm so sorry that I missed Mickey's memorial in the newspaper. Thank you for letting me know about it. The two of you will always be a memory of Rissers in my heart when I think of breakfast there. Take care and love, Louise Kulp (fellow Dorfian and widow of Barry Kulp.)
Jo Wartluft
September 19, 2010
Dearest Judy,
I am so sorry to hear of Mick's passing. He was and always will be one of the nicest men I have had the chance to meet. I have such fond memories of him. All the times we sat on the porch and laughed and joked,the street hasn't been the same since you left. Sitting on my porch, I can still see him sitting there. He was an exceptional man who touched so many lives in a positive way. Please know that you & the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jeremy Lutz
September 12, 2010
Judy,
My sympathy to you and your family. I always enjoyed my conversations with Mickey at the Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society.
September 12, 2010
Hi Judy, don't know if you rememeber us from your days in PA, but Sue & I would like to send our condolences. We still get together w/ Dale & Maggie and the two of you come up in conversation often.
With deepest sympathy, Sue & Scott Meiser
Laurie Gerges
September 11, 2010
Dear Judy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you right now in this time of grief. I feel that my family and I didnt know you two but for a short time in our lives and that time was very memorable and we are all very grateful for that as you two are very special people who will forever remain in our hearts! God bless you! We all miss you. May Gods peace be with you an your family.
With deepest sympathy~
The Gerges family
Mike Moran
September 11, 2010
Judy, this remarkable and special man got me the job as SID at Colorado in 1968 and changed my life. What he did for me opened the doorway to experiences that included 14 Olympic Games and a career of moments and friends I treasure. He was one of the most wonderful human beings I ever knew. My condolences and thoughts.
l p(rev.21:4)
September 10, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
CHARLOTTE IRONMONGER
September 10, 2010
WHAT A REMARKABLE PERSON -- MAY HIS LEGACY GO ON FOREVER! HE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY LIVES THAT HE TOUCHED! GOD BLESS!!
September 10, 2010
Judy,
It was with a great sense of loss when we read of Mickey's death.
We wanted to let you know that you have our greatest sympathy, and our hearts are truly saddened.
We know that his passing will not only leave a void in your lives, but in the hearts of all those who knew him as well.
He will always remain with our fond memories, and we have included all of you in our daily prayers. May God give you strength and understanding.
With our deepest sympathy,
Love, Geri and Jim - Womelsdorf, PA
September 10, 2010
Judy,
It was with a great sense of loss when we heard of Mickey's death. We wanted to let you know that you have our greatest sympathy, and our hearts are truly saddened. We know that his passing will not only leave a void in your lives, but in the hearts of all those who knew him as well. He will always remain with our fond memories, and we have included all of you in prayers. May God give you strength and understanding. With our deepest sympathy, Love, Geri & Jim - Womelsdorf, PA
R Golay
September 9, 2010
To the the family of Mickey Holmes - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Mickey will be missed by many.
September 9, 2010
Mickey was such a wonderful man, even with all his physical burdens he could have an infectuos laugh and could deal with major projects with Judy's help. She was his "ROCK", and dealt with all his minute by minute problems. He will be so missed! Our deepest Sympathy, Love & Prayers, George and Mary Ann Ruth
Georgia Holmes
September 9, 2010
I am sorry to hear of Mick's death. My prayers also go to Mick's wife Judy, as well as his children and twin sister, Eleanor. Mick was my cousin. My father and his father were brothers. My brothers and sisters stayed in touch with him when he was younger, but had not heard much from him recently. He will be missed by many.
Eddie
September 9, 2010
Rest easy my friend...God has you now. We have the memories and will cherish them every one.
September 9, 2010
Mickey was a driving force in his time with us at Zion Lutheran Church in Womelsdorf, PA. He was a man of vision even after losing his sight. He is missed by his PA faith family and our prayers and love go out to Judy and his family. Donna B. (Robesonia, PA)
Fran Kessler
September 9, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Victoria~
September 9, 2010
Our sentimests of ones prayer
set aside to all his family..
sorry we have loss another..
'Mickey'admired by many/
In memory of Mickey Holmes~
Tami W
September 9, 2010
Sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you all !
Dolon Peete
September 9, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Juanita
September 9, 2010
May the God of all comforts, comfort the Holmes family as they mourn the death of Mr. Holmes, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
annette woods
September 9, 2010
sorry to here about mickey holmes passing my condolences to the family
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