Co-written by Jonathan Birek
Former Western Carolina head basketball coach, Larry Hunter, passed away at around 11 a.m. on Friday, May 4.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary. Funeral information will be provided by CatamountSports.com once it is made available.
Hunter suffered a stroke on Sunday, April 29 and was on life support as reported by ESPN’s Seth Greenberg. The Western Carolina Athletic Department released a statement confirming the reports and wishing Hunter well.
“Catamount Athletics learned over the weekend of the hospitalization of former head men’s basketball coach Larry Hunter and has been closely following the situation. We have learned that Hunter suffered a massive stroke, confirming the reports that were previously released through various social media platforms. At the request of the family, no prior comments or release of information were made by WCU until this statement.
Hunter was a vital and influential part of the Western Carolina community during his 13 years in service to the Department of Athletics and its men’s basketball program, winning 702 games during a head coaching career that spanned 38 years.
The continued thoughts, prayers and well wishes of the Catamount Nation are with Larry Hunter and his wife, Mary, during this trying time. It is requested that we continue to respect the family’s wishes for privacy.”
Twitter was flooded with support for the 68-year-old coach including ESPN’s Seth Greenberg and Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman.
Thoughts and prayers with Coach Larry Hunter former @OhioBobcats and @WCU_MBB Head Coach. He had a stroke and is on life support. Keep fighting coach.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) April 29, 2018
Take a minute and voice a prayer for my friend, Coach Larry Hunter.
— Bob Hoffman (@CoachBobHoffman) April 29, 2018
Hunter coached the Ohio University Bobcats from 1989-2001 and the university put out a statement Sunday night wishing their former coach well.
Please keep former @OhioMBasketball head coach Larry Hunter and his family in your thoughts. https://t.co/e3Rh0Uw4k3
— Ohio Bobcats (@OhioBobcats) April 29, 2018
This story was first reported as a developing story and was updated on May 1 once more information was made available. This story was updated again on May 5.
