Statement on Arrest of Student-Athlete

Editor's Note: This is an updated and expanded version of a statement first issued on July 11, 2023.

Utah State University was made aware Monday, July 10, of the arrest of Kingsley Holliday by the North Park Police Department on felony charges of attempted kidnapping, rape and forcible sodomy as well as felony drug distribution charges from a separate agency investigation. USU officials were not previously aware of the allegations.

Holliday was a walk-on football student-athlete during the 2022-23 academic year. When USU Athletics learned of the arrest, he was immediately dismissed from the team. Holliday was temporarily suspended as a student from USU on Wednesday, July 12.

“USU Athletics is proactive in taking a comprehensive approach in building a culture of safety and respect,” said USU Interim Athletics Director Jerry Bovee. “Our student-athletes are trained and educated numerous times annually as it relates to sexual conduct, and we unequivocally will not tolerate any violations of the law.”

Whenever a USU student is arrested for a sex crime, a report is filed with USU’s Office of Equity. USU officials then assess potential threats to the campus community and take appropriate actions. The USU Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigates incidents involving drugs and alcohol violations and determines appropriate discipline.

USU encourages anyone to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Office of Equity. Individuals can also learn about resources and how to report sexual misconduct of any kind at sexualrespect.usu.edu.

Over the last several years, Utah State has made many changes to improve its culture around sexual respect, encourage reporting, and encourage support for victims. A timeline of these actions is available on the university website.

The university takes sexual misconduct very seriously, both through prevention efforts and in responding to incidents in our campus communities. USU requires all students to receive annual education on topics of sexual respect and consent each fall. Those who experience sexual misconduct are encouraged to reach out and learn more about options for support resources and reporting to both the university and to law enforcement.

Even if a victim of sexual misconduct chooses not to make a formal complaint and pursue disciplinary action, they can still access supportive measures to help them continue their education. Students who are found to have violated USU’s policy on sexual misconduct through the university grievance process may face a spectrum of disciplinary actions, including dismissal.

When a sex crime is reported to police on the Logan campus, the USU Police Department has a special investigator who is experienced in the investigation of sex crimes and relationship violence. This investigator works closely with a victim advocate from USU’s Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office. Individuals are always encouraged to report crimes to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where the crime occurred. However, SAAVI advocates offer support and advocacy to any USU student or employee who is a victim of sexual or relationship violence, regardless of where it occurred or whether the incident was reported to the police or the university.

USU is a start by believing campus, and university officials recognize its efforts to combat sexual and relationship violence are part of a larger effort in the state and local communities. To encourage collaborative leadership on this issue, USU began hosting and co-organizing a free annual conference with CAPSA called the Northern Utah Conference to End Violence in spring of 2022.

The university surveys students biannually on their experiences and attitudes around sexual and relationship violence. Since 2017, the data have shown improvements in many areas, including in students’ awareness of resources, their understanding of reporting and how confident they are that their peers would step in and intervene to prevent harm to a fellow Aggie. Survey results are used to help inform USU’s policies and procedures and its educational efforts.