Stories From Main Street: Legendary Basketball Coach Looking For Assist On High School's Finances
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Some say he's a legend.
St. Anthony High School basketball coach Bob Hurley has four national titles and 12 state championships, and seven of his players made it to the NBA.
These days, however, his opponent is the Jersey City school's finances.
Legendary High School Basketball Coach Bob Hurley Looking For Assist On School Finances
"Our status with the archdiocese in Newark is one where we know we're going into next school year," Hurley told WCBS 880's Sean Adams. "But it's kind of like that old athlete that gets the one-year contracts."
This year's budget shortfall is about $1.5 million.
The celebrated coach is also now school president, and he's not taking a salary. Hurely is trying to raise money and apply his winning ways to academics.
"So I have a pad now during the playoffs -- I'm writing down out-of-bounds plays and I'm also writing down ideas for fundraising," Hurley said.
For inner-city kids, St. Anthony provides opportunity, a ticket to a better life, not just through basketball. One of Hurley's players is also a talented painter.
"I'm talking to the kid about his shooting form one day, and the next day I'm in the art room and my wife and I are commissioning a piece of work from him," Hurley said.
Over the years, Hurley has turned down many big-time coaching offers. He says he is too invested in the kids.
"My heart is here," he said. "My passion has been here. I've been here -- this will be my 49th year coaching at the school."
The school is hosting a comedy night fundraiser Friday featuring Donnell Rawlings of "Chappelle's Show" and "The Wire." For more information, click here.
