Player who helped integrate Transylvania basketball was true pioneer
James L. “Jim” Hurley, one of the first recruited Black basketball players for Transylvania University, died on Feb. 14. He was 76.
Before being a star player for Transy, Hurley was in the class of students that integrated Bourbon County High School. He was recruited to Transy by then basketball coach C.M. Newton, who later integrated Alabama’s basketball program as coach.
Hurley was Transy’s top scorer and was named Most Valuable Player in three seasons. As a senior, he averaged 23.8 points and 8.7 rebounds.
“Jim Hurley is basketball at Transylvania,” the 1969 Crimson yearbook declared. That year he was also elected “Mr. Pioneer” by the Transy student body.
Transy retired his number after his senior season.
Hurley was selected by the Cincinnati Royals (now Sacramento Kings) with a ninth-round pick in the 1969 NBA Draft. He chose to begin a 33-year career with Procter & Gamble. He retired in 2003 as vice president of customer business development.
Hurley later served on Transylvania’s Board of Trustees. In 1999, he was inducted into the school’s Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Hurley is survived by his wife of 21 years, Alison; children, Jeffrey Jones (Germaine), James Hurley Jr. (April), Daina Coons, Timothy Hurley; grandchildren, Chris, Jenna, Jordan, Zachary, Makayla, Adonis, Elliana, Melody; great-grandchildren, Maverick, Cavanaugh and Ambrose; sister, Billy Hurley Dimry (John); brother-in-law John Smith; sister-in-law Rena Hurley. He was preceded in death by parents, Noah and Marguerite Hurley; sisters, Beverly Coleman, and Nona Smith; and brother, Noah Hurley Jr.
A funeral service for Hurley is planned for March 5 in Minnetonka, Minn.
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
