The Texas Southern University Athletics Department is mourning the loss of former staff member, coach, and Veteran Dr. Jesse Hurst
The Texas Southern University Athletics Department is mourning the loss of former staff member, coach, and military veteran Dr. Jesse Hurst.
Hurst, 82, was born in Houston’s third ward in 1941 and lived a fascinating life. He graduated from Jack Yates High School and received an academic scholarship in baseball and football to Oklahoma State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology.
Hurst was in the second class of African-American recruits at OSU in 1958 and was roommates with Chester Pittman, the first Black football player in school history, who signed the year before.
After graduating from Oklahoma State, Hurst went on to get a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from HBCU Texas Southern University.
Hurst also had an extensive military background that included graduating from the U.S. Army’s War College in Leavenworth, KS, and serving two tours in the Vietnam War as a member of the 12th Special Forces Reserves in Tulsa, OK. The Veteran received numerous honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Ranger Badge, Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class, two Bronze Service Stars to Vietnam Service, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
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Source: Black Enterprise
