sports

Kirtland coach loses battle to cancer

By Sunnie Clahchischiligi
Navajo Times

FRUITLAND, N.M., Jan. 23, 2014

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(Courtesy photo - Kirtland Central High School)

Kevin Holman


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The state of New Mexico and its prep basketball community lost a favorite when Kirtland Central High School girl’s coach Kevin Holman died last night after a long battle with cancer. He was 49.

Holman fought against various cancers for over a decade. His most recent battle was against thyroid cancer that had spread to his lungs and back. The cancer returned in December of 2012 but Holman continued to coach well into the 2013-2014 season before his health began to decline.

UPDATE

A public viewing for Kirtland Central coach Kevin Holman will be held Sunday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2100 E. 20th St. Farmington, N.M. A rosary will follow at 6 p.m. where the public will be given an opportunity to speak at Holman's wake, according to a post on Holman's Facebook page.

The Facebook post was made by those involved in the funeral planning. The funeral has been scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a short reception in the St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Center, where visitors will have an opportunity to meet Holman's family.

The Navajo Times last spoke with Holman during the 2013 John Lomasney Gallup Girls Basketball Tournament held last month.

Holman was surrounded by family, friends and community membersWednesday evening at San Juan Regional Medical Center when he passed.

Holman coached the 2012-2013 Kirtland Central High School girls’ basketball team to a state title and before that the 2002 Farmington High School girls’ basketball team.

He started his coaching career as the head boys’ basketball coach at Wingate High School before briefing coaching at Shiprock High School.

He eventually found a home with the Farmington Scorpions before moving over to Kirtland.

Support for the respected coach flooded through social media sites as news broke of his passing.

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