Eric Holden

Classroom

A political science major with a minor in entrepreneurial studies, Holden earned a spot on the 2019 Northeast Conference Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. He was also a 2018-19 Statesmen Scholar, which recognizes Hobart student-athletes that maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher or have a GPA of 3.2 or higher for the academic year.

Character

Holden is a member of the team’s leadership council. In many ways, that group fills a role similar to a captain. As a member of the council, Holden’s called on to motivate his peers, reinforce team culture, and maintain a high level of commitment and engagement. He meets weekly with the coaching staff to discuss areas for development and ways to generate teamwork and collaboration. Holden also mentors five underclassmen to help increase their accountability and sense of responsibility as student-athletes.

Head Coach Greg Raymond on Holden: “We define character as ‘what you do when no one’s watching.’ This ideology goes hand in hand with discipline. Can you choose the ‘right thing’ over the ‘easy thing?’ Both of these are paramount initiatives in our program, and we don’t have a better representation of character and discipline than Eric Holden. He proves there is no crazy secret to success. Is Eric talented? Very, but he works. He has an everyday accountability we aim to emulate in all our Statesmen. I think the most influential thing about Eric is how apparent this character is in all facets of his life. Eric has made the choice to strive for excellence, but it’s not selective. He seeks excellence in all things, and is the same person in a championship game as he is in the super market. Eric has trained his pursuit of integrity, and in turn has earned the platform to influence others. We trust this influence in every single thing we do.”

Community

Holden has participated in team activities, interacting with local youth and raising money and awareness for local charities. He has helped with youth lacrosse clinics, served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Drive, and participated in a 5K to raise money for a local cancer charity. He, along with his teammates, served as a pen pal with a local elementary school student as a first-year and as a sophomore. The purpose of the pen pal program was to promote reading and writing for the young students. As a first-year, Holden volunteered at Discovery Playground, an after-school program for elementary school children. He helped them complete their homework and led group activities.

Competition

The 2019 All-NEC First Team pick broke Hobart’s Division I era record for points in a season with 67 and tied the mark for goals in a season with 45. Holden was second on the team in ground balls with 31. The six-time NEC Prime Performer was second in the league in points per game, third in goals per game and seventh in assists per game last season. He earned his first NEC weekly recognition after scoring a Hobart Division I era game record seven goals in the season opener against Canisius. Holden was also named to the USILA National Team of the Week for his efforts against the Golden Griffins. He was named to the 2017 NEC All-Rookie Team. The three-year starter begins his senior season with at least a point in 20 consecutive games and at least one goal in 15 straight games. Among Division I Statesmen, Holden ranks ninth in career points (122), 10th in career goals (77), and 11th in career assists (45).