From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Hurley, James Leroy "Jim"
(born: August 6, 1945 - died: February 14, 2022) Jim Hurley was a star basketball player; he was a 6 foot 3 inch guard/forward. He played at Western High School in Paris, KY. Hurley was a teammate of Norman W. Allen, and the team was coached by William "Bill" Reed. Hurley would leave Western and was among the first group of African American students to integrate Bourbon County High School in Paris, KY. He played basketball at Bourbon County High School and was a teammate of Jim LeMaster. Hurley was named All-State Honorable Mention by the Louisville Courier-Journal for the 10th Region in 1962.Hurley then attended the University of Cincinnati and was on the basketball team. The following year he transferred to play for C. M. Newton at Transylvania College in Lexington, KY. He had to sit-out for one season (1965-66) and the next season Hurley was the starting guard on the Transylvania team. Hurley was an outstanding basketball player at Transylvania: named Most Valuable Player for three seasons; the team’s top scorer for three years; named to the NCAA All-American Team as a senior; averaged 23.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest his senior year; and was selected Mr. Pioneer and his number was retired in 1969.
After graduating from college, Hurley was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals [today the Sacramento Kings], but he declined the offer for an employment career with Procter and Gamble. He worked for the company for 33 years and was the vice president of customer business development when he retired. He also served on the Transylvania Board of Trustees, and he was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame in 1999.
James "Jim" L. Hurley died in Scottsdale, AZ in 2022. He was born in Paris, KY, the son of Noah E. and Margaurite Nichols Hurley.
Sources: In Memoriam: Transylvania Trustee, Pioneer Hall of Famer Jim Hurley ’69, a Transylvania University webpage; Jim Hurley obituary online at the StarTribune webpage; "All-State Honorable Mention," Louisville Courier-Journal, 03/25/1962, Section 2, p.5; "Moore at Transy," The Lexington Herald, 01/15/1966, p.10.
*This entry was suggested by University of Kentucky Librarian Shawn Livingston.