By LARRY VAUGHT
He played in 124 games at Kentucky and shot a remarkable 59.3 percent from the field, the best mark ever at the time at UK when his playing career ended in 1983.
However, even though he scored 786 points, grabbed 496 rebounds and had 104 assists playing for coach Joe B. Hall, Charles Hurt has never been back to a game in Rupp Arena since leaving UK.
“Kentucky basketball was a big part of my life, but that was years ago. I eventually hope to go back, but that is just the way it has worked out,” said Hurt. “You get a family, and that becomes a priority. I remember all the guys and that’s great, but I just moved on. When I left there I left with a smile on my face and a thank you in my heart, but I’ve just never been back.
“I think most every time I was in Kentucky it was probably during the offseason. I still follow them as much as I can. I know when I was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, we got the feeds of some UK games and I would have my blue on supporting the Cats. I know some players may not come back for a particular reason, but I have no reason. I love UK. They gave me more in my four years than I ever gave them. I love the University of Kentucky. Always have, always will.”
Hurt, a Shelby County native now living in Louisville, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987 and became a career military man. He lived in Germany, Kuwait and Korea during his tour and became an information systems chief.
Hurt, 51, is now retired and ready to embark on a new career as an assistant basketball coach at Shelby County under first-year coach Jeff Couch.
“They approached me and I had thought about something like this for quite a while. The timing was never right when I was approached before. But now it is. My daughter is a senior in high school, I am back in Kentucky and it seemed like a good way to give back. Basically, it’s where I got my start and that community was great to me,” he said.
Next: Hurt’s salary will not be what the normal coach might expect.
16 Responses to Charles Hurt left UK with a smile on face, thank-you in heart but he has never been back to a game
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maybe at some point this year he can get to be the “y” at a basketball game. i did not know he went in to the military , thanks for the service charles.
Charles Hurt was my favorite player at UK at the time he played. I never seen anyone as physically imposing as him. I once got to go to watch the team workout in the weight room during preseason and I still remember how big his arms were. Great Wildcat. I hope Cal will approach him for some motivational talks for his young team.
I remember him being the strongest player in Ky high school basketball since Wes Unseld. A great high school player.
I live in Shelby County and work in Louisville would love to meet Charles as I remember him as one tough player who always smiled except on the court.. Anytime he wants a ticket to a game mine are his..
Paul, get out to a Shelby County game and see him this year. may come and do the same myself
Hurt was a fine basketball player as well as being a tremendous athlete in general. He was one of Hall’s “get the best athlete and teach them to play basketball” players. It worked out very well too. They called him Charles “Atlas” Hurt for good reason. And he always looked like he could hurt just about anyone on the floor anytime he wanted.
UK had tremendous talent in those days with players like Turpin, Dicky Beal, Kenny Walker, Dirk Minniefield, Jim Master, Derrick Hord, and Bret Bearup. That list included probably 5 McDonald’s All American players which is how recruits were judged back then. People always said UK had too much talent in fact. They cried about how it wasn’t fair for UK to get so much talent. Maybe they were right. The Cats were loaded every year when Hall was the coach.
Holy Moly, lhe should be a Y in a game. He was my favorite player when he played also. He was built, strong, smart and had tremendous basketball IQ. I loved watching him with Derrick Hord. Those were some superfantabulousgloriuos days and games! I have seen Charles around time a couple times but never went up to say Hi. Wish I had! My evil twin sister would have, she is the one who has fun! Is it b-ball season yet?
I know how you feel. I seen my “all-time” favorite Cat in the Raleigh airport back in the early 90′s. He was leaning against a wall, surrounded by luggage. I didn’t have the nerve and mind you, I just graduated Boot Camp at Parris Island SC (still in uniform). I walked toward him, but my nerves got the best of me. That dude was…KING REX himself. I’ll never get over that.
And he got the “Round Mound Of Rebound Tossed.” LOL
I agree with the comments, he was one of my favorite players also. I’m glad he’s done so well, but heartbroken that he has never been back! BBN would welcome him back with open arms! Thank you for the update, Larry!
Charles was as nice a person as he was an athlete. Welcome home, Charles!
Good man. Played at UK, played in the NBA and THEN joined the military and retired from the Army. Only thing that would have been better is if he joined the Marines.
OooRah!
OOH-RAH back. Semper Fi!!!
I know the new Shelby Co. coach Jason Couch and I was talking to him this summer at a high school shootout at Hanover College and Jason was excited to have Charles Hurt join his coaching staff. I told Jason that I remembered Charles and the fact that his pictures always looked like his arms were chiseled.
Larry if you do go to Shelby Co. to watch a game I hope you get a chance to meet Coach Couch also he came to Shelby Co. from Louisville Eastern High School he is a fine young man and a very good coach.
thanks Jan. glad to have you adding that insight for us. If you recommend him, then he has to be good