Wilson Holloway, Tulsa Student-Athlete, Dies of Cancer

Wilson Holloway, a student and athlete at The University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, died on Wednesday after a three-year fight with cancer, the university announced on Thursday.

Holloway, a junior offensive lineman for the university’s Golden Hurricane football team, took this academic year off as he battled Hodgkin's lymphoma for the third time since 2008.

"We are deeply saddened today by the tragic loss of Wilson Holloway after his tireless and relentless battle with Hodgkin lymphoma,” said Tulsa Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham. “We extend our sincere thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and teammates in this time of sorrow.”

The Oklahoma City native, who died at 22, received the Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award last June and the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl/Football Writers Association of America Courage Award. He was also a finalist for the 2010 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award.

Despite his continual battle with the disease, Holloway is well known for his big smile and optimism.

“Wilson's smile was contagious to those who ever met him,” said Cunningham. “He fought the disease with a tireless and enthusiastic spirit.”

Cunningham added that Holloway’s passion for living has touched the hearts of many. Even after suffering from cancer, Holloway did not give up hope but only learned from his experience.

“I don’t take things for granted anymore,” Cunningham quoted Holloway as saying. “There are days I wish I could go out and do the drills everyone hates to do.”

Holloway was most recently active on his Twitter account on Feb. 7, tweeting about the snow.

“I'm so tired of all this snow.. It's starting [to] get ridiculous… C'mon man!!!!” he posted on his Twitter page.

Holloway’s funeral will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, at the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond, Okla.