Hardin-Simmons soccer player missing, presumed dead

Special to The Pew

Kiefer Holman, a student and men’s soccer player, at Hardin-Simmons is missing and presumed dead after a canoeing accident on Lake Ray Hubbard on March 12.

Divers searched Lake Ray Hubbard and used a sonar device to search for Holman who disappeared in the water on Saturday. Searchers say high winds make it difficult to search and blamed high winds as the probable cause of the accident.

According to WFAA in Dallas, Holman was in a canoe with two others on Saturday when his boat capsized. The other two were able to swim to shore but Holman went under. The search resumed on March 14.

Kiefer Holman

"Kiefer was just a good kid, that was fun to be around,” said Hardin-Simmons Head Coach Dan Heger. “He was a freshman that played some early in the year than was injured, but he had a great attitude and he loved Hardin-Simmons. He had decided not to play next year, but just a few weeks ago he hosted a kid from his high school that we are recruiting and really sold him on Hardin-Simmons.”

Although undecided on a major, Heger said that Holman was really being pulled to the ministry.

“Kiefer had started doing some preaching on the side and was really getting the call to the ministry. I think that is the direction he was heading. You knew where Kiefer stood with his faith and he was not afraid to share that with anyone. He just had a big heart and always tried to make people smile. It is a tough situation and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Holman played in two games early in the season. He was a midfielder from Mesquite Poteet High School. His brother Tanner, plays on the soccer team at the University of the Ozarks. 

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Holman family,” said HSU Athletic Director John Neese. “From all accounts Kiefer was an outstanding young man who had a lot of life and personality.”

A memorial page has been set-up on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_199960673357052