Rick Holman (2013) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Rick Holman

Induction:
2013
Class:
1982

1977-80
Cornerback

Rick Holman spent his first year on The University of Akron football team as a quarterback and wide receiver, before being switched to defensive back during spring practice.

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It proved extremely beneficial to both Holman and the team as he became a starter at cornerback in 1978. By the season’s end he not only led the Zips secondary in tackles, but was second on the team with 88 stops and had a team-leading three interceptions.

In both 1979 and 1980, he was UA’s starting free safety. The 5-foot-11, 165 pound Holman again led the secondary in tackles, with 77, and interceptions, with three. In UA’s 45-21 win over Northern Michigan in ‘79, he enjoyed a career highlight by returning an interception 68 yards for the only touchdown of his career.

As a senior in 1980, he was voted as one of the senior tri-captains. Holman closed out his career as the secondary’s leading tackler for the third consecutive season by making a career-high 91 stops. Three of his tackles were quarterback sacks for minus 18 yards and he again had three interceptions to rank second on the team in that category. That performance earned him UA’s Most Outstanding Senior and Best Defensive Back awards.

In 1983, Holman served as a student coach for the Zips, overseeing the scout team in practice and from 1994-96 he served as a graduate assistant at Walsh University.