Murray State University Athletics
Spinal protrusions sideline Holder
9/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
(Sept. 30. 2005) -- Sophomore guard Jimmie Lee Holder will not be able to play with the Racers any longer, due to spinal problems he has had since birth. The sophomore education major will remain with the team assisting the coaching staff.
"Throughout high school, it hurt some, and I'd go to the chiropractor," he said today (Friday). "Over time, it got worse and worse. Last season, they took X-rays and couldn't see anything different, but after the summer, they said I shouldn't be coming back (to the doctor's office) this much."
Doctors took MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging photos) of Holder's back and found protrusions on two of his vertebrae.
"They said I was halfway to rupturing two of my discs," Holder said. "They told me that with the intensity of college basketball and all we do, there was no way I could play and not have back surgery. So, they told me to give up basketball if I wanted to prolong the need for back surgery."
Holder will work with the team, assisting the coaches in practices and during games, and said the decision not to play would not change his career plans.
"Ever since high school, I've always wanted to coach," he said. "That was my intent all along, so this is a good situation. I'd like to play, but this is still a good situation to come into. The coaching staff is letting me stay on to help them out.
"Instead of my focus being on enjoying the game, now I can focus on the 'why' of what the coach says instead of what he says. I can learn why he tells us to do something, and take everything in."
"Jimmie is a great young guy who is a positive influence on our program," said head coach Mick Cronin. "We are very happy that he has chosen to remain with the team and continue his education at Murray State."
Holder, 20, is a native of Benton, Ky., and a graduate of Marshall County High School.
