INDIANAPOLIS – After three previous chances, Bob Hurley has reached the pinnacle of his coaching career. The legendary St. Anthony High School basketball coach is headed to the National Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Hudson Reporter has learned that Hurley, a lifelong Jersey City resident, will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Aug. 13.
The announcement of Hurley’s induction into the Hall of Fame will be officially made Monday morning at a press conference at the Final Four, but Hurley apparently received word from the Hall of Fame organizers that he was indeed to be inducted this year.
Hurley was a finalist for the Hall of Fame in each of the last three years, but did not receive enough consideration for induction.
However, the committee obviously could not overlook Hurley’s incredible contribution to high school basketball, winning more than 950 games, 24 NJSIAA state championships, nine NJSIAA Tournament of Champions titles and three mythical national championships.
With the induction, Hurley becomes only the third boys’ high school basketball coach in history to become a Hall of Fame member, joining Ernest “Prof” Blood from Passaic High School in New Jersey and Morgan Wooten of DeMatha Catholic High School in Washington, D.C.
Hurley also becomes only the third Hudson County native to gain induction, joining legendary Union City native Tommy Heinsohn, who played and coached with the Boston Celtics, and Hoboken native David Walsh, who gained induction to the Hall for his work as a referee. Walsh died in 1975.
Hurley is expected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with the famed USA Olympic Dream team of 1992, as well as legendary NBA stars Karl “The Mailman” Malone, Scottie Pippen and Chris Mullin.
The Hudson Reporter will be on hand for the press conference announcing Hurley’s induction to the Hall of Fame on Monday and will have exclusive local coverage of the historic event. — Jim Hague
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