Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Dalton Holt: I accredit everything to football. From the life lessons to all the people I met in my life somehow someway came through the game of football.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
Dalton Holt: Grew up in Brownsville PA. Growing up there forces you to grow up fast. I feel that adversity and other things that the environment puts you through matures you faster than normal. I wouldn’t change a thing though. I love where I came from.
Joe Gaiter: Who inspired you to start playing sports?
Dalton Holt: I would have to say my dad. I was just involved and loved sports from since I could remember. Both my parents loved sports so it came pretty easy.
Joe Gaiter: What are some of your fondest memories about Ringgold High School?
Dalton Holt: Just the people and not minding to go to school every day. I hear people often say they hated high school and I couldn’t relate because I had so much fun.
Joe Gaiter: How did you manage playing football, baseball and running track in high school?
Dalton Holt: It was tough. More so in the spring time having to juggle track and baseball then having to still go get a workout in at the end of the night.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience.
Dalton Holt: It was a rocky up and down type thing. I was all over the place met a lot of cool people but It takes an emotional toll on you. Super fun, but stressful at the same time.
Joe Gaiter: Why did you choose Slippery Rock University?
Dalton Holt: I felt like I was at home. Just the brotherhood made it so easy to transition from home to school. I relayed to the guys at The Rock more than anywhere else I visited.
Joe Gaiter: What has been your contribution to the team?
Dalton Holt: That’s a tough question to reflect on yourself. (haha) You would have to ask my teammates that.
Joe Gaiter: What are your thoughts about your amazing 13-1 2019 season?
Dalton Holt: It was something out of a movie it seemed like. It was so special that I can’t even describe. All the behind the scenes things that people didn’t see as far as the adversity our team went through then to the outside world we were just winning and winning. It’s incredible I’ll never forget that season It was the most fun I had in a long time.
Joe Gaiter: How does it feel to be named Top 20D-2 Safeties for the 2020 Season?
Dalton Holt: It’s an honor. Feels good that outsiders look at me in that way. At the end of the day though I just put my head back down and keep working I’m nowhere near at my best yet.
Joe Gaiter: What lessons did you learn from losing to #4 Minnesota State University during the semifinal?
Dalton Holt: Too many to name. I think you learn more from that scarring feeling that you feel standing on that field at the end of the game more than anything else. That’ll have you doing a lot of reflecting.
Joe Gaiter: What is your relationship like with Head Coach Shawn Lutz and the coaching staff?
Dalton Holt: We all have a good relationship. Just as in any type of relationship we have our ups and downs all of us, but at the end of the day it’s all love and we have the same goal and that is to win.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Dalton Holt: My major is safety management. To be honest it’s something good to have a degree in if I ever decide to go the traditional job route but ultimately I want to get into real estate and run my own businesses.
Joe Gaiter: Who are some athletes we need to keep on our radar?
Dalton Holt: Khadir Roberts!!! For sure!! I don’t understand how I keep seeing all these DB lists and this guy keeps getting left off of them.
Joe Gaiter: What motivates you on the field?
Dalton Holt: When I’m on the field I think I’m just motivated by winning. You don’t think of nothing else except what’s going on in the game.
Joe Gaiter: How have you incorporated your baseball and track experience into your football?
Dalton Holt: Track was all for football to just get faster and learn how to run. As far as baseball I would say much hand I coordination all came from playing baseball my whole life.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Dalton Holt: I just want my name to be around when I’m gone. In everything I do I want to be remembered as a guy who did it at his full ability and with a full heart. Someone that was a good teammate, brother, and a man.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Dalton Holt: God willing we have a season this year. Keep a close eye on Slippery Rock it’s going to be another year to remember.
Social Media
IG: HoltyHolt
Twitter: SirHoltyHolt
