Report: Charles Hurt dead
- Thread starter mg721
- Start date
Wow.. Sad.
For my age, one of my first real memorable guys along with Derek Hord.
For my age, one of my first real memorable guys along with Derek Hord.
Last edited:
I'd heard he'd been battling leukemia.
Still remember Al McGuire commenting on Hurts physique. "That's a freshman body?".
Still remember Al McGuire commenting on Hurts physique. "That's a freshman body?".
Terribly sad news. Met Charles a few times while at UK. Just a really humble genuine guy. RIP Charles. 
We live in an age where most athletes look like him, or even bigger. But you have to understand how much of a freak he was for the time compared to his competition.
Also, F U cancer
Also, F U cancer
Last edited:
Just awful. Really sad news. RIP.
Charles Hurt served in the military. Made it to the rank of at least Master Sgt. (E-8) and that's getting up there for senior enlisted. I'm hopeful that in coming days we'll be able to learn as much as possible about Charles' military career, and hopefully he was able to enjoy a quality retirement for some years. Such tragic news. And yes, Charles is well remembered for his physical form - his "cantaloupe" shoulders were remarked upon often during his time at UK.
Charles Hurt served in the military. Made it to the rank of at least Master Sgt. (E-8) and that's getting up there for senior enlisted. I'm hopeful that in coming days we'll be able to learn as much as possible about Charles' military career, and hopefully he was able to enjoy a quality retirement for some years. Such tragic news. And yes, Charles is well remembered for his physical form - his "cantaloupe" shoulders were remarked upon often during his time at UK.
Wow. So sad. I had missed the news he was sick.
Prayers for his family and all his many friends in this difficult time.
Wow. So sorry for his family and friends.
Loved the early 80s teams. No doubt that nowadays UK is as successful as it ever has been. But growing up back then, I was absolutely awestruck anytime I could be at Rupp and watch the Cats run out on to the court.
Loved the early 80s teams. No doubt that nowadays UK is as successful as it ever has been. But growing up back then, I was absolutely awestruck anytime I could be at Rupp and watch the Cats run out on to the court.
Jack "Goose" Givens: “He played the game the way it was supposed to be played. ... No one outworked Charlie Hurt."
Charles graduated with my dad. Class of'78 I believe it was. He won Shelby County a state title that same year Kentucky won the national championship. If I recall correctly, Hurt hit a late bomb in the closing seconds or at the buzzer against Apollo to win it.
Surely someone who knows more about it can chime in. I'm going off what I was told years ago, and I'm in bed sick this weekend.
Surely someone who knows more about it can chime in. I'm going off what I was told years ago, and I'm in bed sick this weekend.
So sorry to hear about. Did not know he was sick. May he Rest In Peace, God Bless him and his family!
That was sad news to hear about Charles Hurt and he was a very good player for the Wildcats. I remember him most with his classic battles with another Charles on the hardwood.
Charles came to kick your butt every game, and battled for the ball on every play. He was fun to watch. Prayers for his family. RIP big fellow.
We live in an age where most athletes look like him, or even bigger. But you have to understand how much of a freak he was for the time compared to his competition.
Also, F U cancer
Great pictures. Charles had the upper and lower body strength that gave him the ability to play bigger opponents and not get pushed around. He just out muscled them.
Had never heard a thing about him being ill so this was a shock to wake up to this morning. Loved him as a UK player and sounds like he was a terrific man all his life. Ended much too soon as he was far too young to go, cancer is a hateful illness. Prayers for his entire family.
Really sad news. We attended UK at the same time and I saw him on campus frequently. Grade A class individual. He had the most emotional senior night moments during "My Old Kentucky Home" that I've ever seen. Even brought tears to Dick Enberg and Al McGuire.
I'll always remember his "statement dunk" in the closing seconds of the Cats 78 national championship win over Duke .
May you rest in peace Charles
I think you're referring to James Lee.
Charles wasn't on the 1978 team. His first year was on the 79-80 team. RIP Charles.
Wow. Very sad to hear. I knew him at Shelby County High. He was a senior when I was sophomore. We had a Spanich class together. He was a nice guy and he was like a piece of cast iron.
Searching the Sentinel News site which does not have the story on yet, I found this where he received his ring from the 1978 state championship team 3 years ago. Nice story.
Searching the Sentinel News site which does not have the story on yet, I found this where he received his ring from the 1978 state championship team 3 years ago. Nice story.
We live in an age where most athletes look like him, or even bigger. But you have to understand how much of a freak he was for the time compared to his competition.
Also, F U cancer
I remember when Shelby County and Charles Hurt came to our HS for a game. Charles was a Junior or Senior, had committed to UK. Gym was packed because everyone always wants to check out a UK recruit, but also because the stories about his physique and strength had become mythic. Everyone wanted to check this out for themselves. He was absolutely chiseled, even in high school.
I don't speak from any kind of personal relationship or anything, but from all I have ever heard, read or seen, he was one of the good guys. Never heard a bad rumor or story, which can't be said of many in the public eye, whether the stories are true or not. That he got a small taste of the NBA glamour and then enlisted in the Army kind of confirms that he was well-grounded...from public spotlight to public servant. It's rare to find someone that talented and that humble. RIP Charlie.
...and I think every HS team in this state wore those converse back then.