Speaker - Bob Hurley

Catholic Education Foundation welcomes Bob Hurley as this year’s Gift of Catholic Education Breakfast Speaker.  Coach Bob Hurley has been the Head Coach at St. Anthony High School in New Jersey for 35 years and has had over 900 career victories.  The St. Anthony High School basketball team won the National Championship Title in 1989, 1996 and 2008 and five former players have become 1st Round NBA draft picks.  

But many members of the team see Hurley as much more than a great coach and can attest to his unflagging dedication both on and off the court. Hurley has helped team members with issues above and beyond that of basketball, from standing-up to local gang members to helping kids with their homework or SAT studies to even taking team members with him for trips to the Jersey Shore.  Coach Hurley is not only a legendary coach, but an inspirational speaker who is committed to education and helping inner city children.

Adrian Wojnarowski is the author of “The Miracle of St. Anthony:  A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball’s Most Improbable Dynasty,” which was a New York Times best seller.   The book is based on Coach Hurley’s championship 2003-2004 season and chronicles how Coach Hurley tries to transform the toughest, least engaged players at St. Anthony High School.  Adapted from Adrian Wojnarowski’s book, a major motion picture is being produced as well as a documentary following this year's (2008) perfect season.  Directed by Sam Weisman, the movie is set to be released in 2009.

One of Coach Hurley’s former student athletes has a local connection here in Kansas - Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor is currently a starter on the University of Kansas Jayhawk basketball team.

While at St. Anthony High School, Taylor was a member of the honor roll every year, and was an integral part of the 32-0 record and the USA Today’s mythical national championship in 2008, where he averaged 10 points and 5 assists per game in his senior season.  Taylor was also named the Hudson County Player of the Year in 2008 and was a part of the national-record 25th state championship and 2008 Tournament of Champions at St. Anthony.  As a 6’3” guard, Taylor possesses leadership both on and off the court.

Click below to read the CBS news story about Coach Hurley:
Holding Court And Performing Miracles
For Nearly 40 Years Coach Bob Hurley Has Headed One Of The Greatest Dynasties In High School Sports