Lauren's Hall of Fame Video
Lauren Holtkamp was part of the first four Lady Panther basketball teams after attending one year at Southwest Missouri State University. A Lady Panther from 2000-2004, Lauren played in 88 games for the Lady Panthers and was a critical piece in helping those teams carve out an unbelievable run of success. Earning both an undergraduate and graduate degree while at Drury, Holtkamp helped the Lady Panther teams fashion a four-year record of 101-22. She played a key role for four years, punctuated with what was the Lady Panthers’ biggest accomplishment in the history of the program: playing for the NCAA-II national championship on March 27, 2004.
While Lauren played a key role in the success of those first four Lady Panther teams, what she has accomplished in the “world of sports” since her days as a college student-athlete merits a special recognition afforded to few former Drury athletes. Lauren has sky-rocketed into the world of the NBA as a referee. For that rare accomplishment she is being inducted into the Drury Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. In 2014, only 10 years after leaving the Drury campus, she became an official for the National Basketball Association (NBA). She is only the third woman in the history of the NBA to reach that pinnacle of success and excellence. Founded on June 6, 1946, Lauren is only the third female official in the 70-plus years of NBA basketball. Lauren, Violet Palmer and Dee Kanter are the lone members of this exclusive club. Lauren and Palmer are the only two current full-time female NBA officials while Kanter is now the WNBA’s supervisor of officials. “There is a kinship and certainly a sense of support and collegiality,” once stated Lauren in an interview about this unique trio.
Originally from Jefferson City, Missouri, Lauren had six seasons of NBA D-League experience, including work in the 2013 and 2014 D-League Finals before entering the ranks of the NBA. She also has refereed in the WNBA, college and FIBA ranks. It was only a decade ago that Lauren had just finished school and a basketball career at Drury University and was contemplating what to do before pursuing a master’s degree in divinity. Interestingly, Mark Stratton, another member of this year’s class of Hall of Fame inductees, suggested that Lauren attend a local meeting of officials. In 2004, she reffed her first game — a middle-school contest in Springfield, Missouri. Ten years later — the NBA. Amazing. Drury “fans” everywhere have been equally impressed with her accomplishments.
“There are a lot of people across the country who watch for Lauren when there is an NBA game on TV, and not what is happening on the floor,” stated Nyla Milleson, Lauren’s Lady Panther head coach. “What else can be said. She is an NBA official, and a Drury Lady Panther.”
Two former Lady Panthers, both members of the Drury Sports Hall of Fame, know how special Lauren was as a teammate and how her career has sky-rocketed since leaving Drury. Jill Curry, the first Lady Panther to be inducted into the Drury Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2005) commented. “Lifetime Achievement is defined as ‘something accomplished, especially by superior ability, special effort, great courage’. This definition of lifetime achievement perfectly sums up Lauren’s journey through her officiating career,” Jill stated. “Her accomplishments are truly remarkable. Through her passion, hard work, dedication and persistence she made it to the NBA in a minimal amount of time. Lauren has distinguished herself as one of ‘The Greats’ and she has been so humble and gracious every step of the way. I could not be more proud to call her a teammate and my friend. Not only for her achievements, but for her unwavering character as a person.”
“Congratulations to my teammate and friend on her well-deserved induction into the Drury Sports Hall of Fame,” added Hope (Hunt) Whitman (Drury Hall of Fame Class of 2006). “Lauren was an outspoken leader on our team who was confident, intelligent and had an unbelievable work ethic. Great attributes for someone who would fearlessly break down barriers, push limits and tackle their dreams. Thank you for being an inspiration and for showing little girls across our nation to find their passion and to dream big.”
Lauren is inducted today into the Drury Sports Hall of Fame in the category of Lifetime Achievement. While her career continues to unfold, and while the current NBA season is in full swing, we pause in recognition of what she has already achieved and look forward to what lies ahead. Along with her husband, Jonathan, her parents, teammates, friends and fans, today Lauren is forever enshrined as a member of the Drury Sports Hall of Fame: Saturday, December 2, 2017.
