Coach Leon Hurst inducted into Okemah Hall of Fame

Coach Leon Hurst inducted into Okemah Hall of Fame

Coach Leon Hurst has been a positive example and encourager to Okemah School Students for many years.  Because of his constant positive involvement in the lives of so many young people, the Okemah Community Improvement Association voted to induct Coach Leon Hurst into the Okemah Hall of Fame.

Okemah Community Improvement Association (CIA) President Carl Alls made the presentation during the All-Sports Banquet on Monday, May 13 at the Okemah High School Commons.  The CIA Board thought it was appropriate to present the award in front of student athletes and colleagues of Coach Hurst.

CIA President Carl Alls made the following comments before presenting Coach Hurst the Hall of Fame Plaque. Alls said: “Sometime a long time ago (this is not a fairy tale) someone decided that sports and their surrounding activities would be good for young people to help develop their strength and character, for this I am thankful.

I am sure that it was shortly thereafter determined that when the school could afford it the determination was made to train and hire individuals that had a propensity for those endeavors. Out of that came coaches.

Out of those coaches came a group of superhero men and women and one of those is someone that we wish to honor today. I do not know this person as well as I would like, but I have been watching him and listening to parents and youth speak of him for years and finally this winter it all came to a head, and he was nominated and the CIA Board voted to induct him into the Okemah Hall of Fame.”

Following the comments from Carl Alls, Addy Bean also shared her thoughts on Coach Hurst. She said: “There is no one more deserving of this award and I am honored to speak regarding coach hurst. He has been a great role model and treats me like one of his own. I have considered him as a grandpa, and I would love to share some of my favorite memories.

It all started when Hurst would make us race around the field at PE and he knew there was something special in that 2nd grade class. I don’t think I necessarily knew what I was getting into, but he made running fun. I went to 4 nationals with him and no matter how much I ran he ran 2x the distance. He was at every corner or curve always cheering us on, somehow, he was never tired or out of breath. He ran around on his broken foot at Douglas, would wake up at 2 am before meets, and to this day throws up before every race.

Over all the years no matter what sport I was competing in he was always there. He was either behind the bench, at the scores table, or waiting by the court to give me advice and encouragement. He was the first person to check on me when I got hurt then cried with me knowing I would miss out on a season of track. That season was hard for me, but he was only worried about me recovering and getting back for basketball.

This past season was difficult knowing it was the last with him, but he reminded me to have fun like I did when I was a kid running around that field at Oakes. He knew I put too much pressure on myself, and he prayed with me and for me every day at practice and at meets. He would tell me that God has never failed me, and he never will. He would ask if I talked to him today making sure my heart was right.

He has put so much time, effort, money, and energy into not only this program but into the lives of all of his athletes. I am so grateful to have been coach by such committed and God loving man. He has positively impacted many lives from Okemah, and I have had the honor to have been coach by him the past 10 years.