Midnight Madness Idaho Women’s Coach Takes A Brief, But Intense, Sabbatical

Game film instead of David Letterman during those midnight feedings?

Idaho women’s basketball coach Julie Holt is discovering she’s getting more work done at the Gritman Medical Center than she does in her office.

Since delivering her second child by Cesarean on Sunday, Holt and four-day-old Benjamin Edward have been at the medical center in Moscow, Idaho.

The business of the day, or night, has been to nurture her infant and watch game film.

Holt, who earlier this year vowed not to miss a game despite her pregnancy, reluctantly missed Sunday’s home game against Boise State. She went into labor about 4-1/2 hours before tipoff.

Throughout the game, Holt received updates. The outcome was a 67-66 Vandals win in the final seconds.

“To miss the Boise State game was real hard,” Holt told Idaho sports information director Becky Paull.

“At least I was kept occupied,” Holt said. “I know where I’d rather have been than doing this.”

Holt will miss this weekend’s trip to North Texas and New Mexico State. Kate Rue, who acted as head coach against Boise State, will continue to run the team.

Holt is scheduled to be released from the hospital today. She says she plans on returning to work for the Big West Conference tournament which begins March 5 in Reno, Nev.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo