After retiring from the CBA in 1997, former KU standout point guard Cedric Hunter has been working with Boys Town in native Omaha, Nebraska, as a behavioral interventionist since January 1999. He has also coached basketball at Boys Town with the varsity team and Wegner Middle School.
Hunter, who set a KU and Big Eight record for all-time assists which lasted 10 years, has continued to dish his share of assists and help those in need. He is a remarkable human being who offers invaluable life lessons to disadvantaged kids.
In a feature on Hunter in the Journal Star on March 9, 2006, writer John Mabry talked about Ced’s admirable contributions to Boys Town.
The headline read: “Hunter gives out life assists at Boys Town.”
Hunter, who was working as assistant coach at Boys Town at the time, received ultimate praise from head basketball coach Tom Krehbiel.
“You won’t find a better human being than Cedric Hunter,” Krehbiel said. “He is humble. He is honest. He works hard. He loves these kids.
“The guy could be doing a thousand things. He chooses to stay at Boys Town.”
Indeed, he has.
Just like he dished out countless assists at Kansas and in the CBA, Hunter continues to be so unselfish and offer “wisdom and guidance” to these kids.
Hunter found his calling at Boys Town and profoundly enjoys working with the youngsters, who he is trying to mold into quality young men.
“One thing about it, our team likes each other so much, sometimes it gets a little goofy,” Hunter said. “That’s a good problem to have. The guys really like each other and they play for each other.”
Mabry wrote that these kids have been “mistreated” during their lives. Hunter, just like he did in high school, at KU and the CBA, has risen to the challenge.
“They’re all working on some kind of treatment,” Hunter said. “We get them here, and they buy in to what we’re trying to teach them.
“A lot of them haven’t played organized basketball, so it makes it fun to see the progress at the end.”
Mabry wrote that “Hunter is a specialist in the area of handling kids with behavioral issues. It’s a job that requires tremendous patience.”
“He’s very good at it,” said Bob Pick, associate executive director of the home campus. “The kids love him.”
Senior guard Tremayne Hill said “Hunter is always talking about the importance of showing respect for your opponent.”
“Everything’s about character,” Hill said, “relaying some of Hunter’s teachings.”
“If you’ve got character, it will take you a long way.”
Hill added:
“He’s very humble, very humble. He talks about his high school days more than his college days, about how at (Omaha) South he was a very aggressive player on defense.”
Mabry wrote that “Krehbiel said his team has made great strides since Hunter joined the staff.”
“Our guard play the last four years has been unbelievable because he’s coached the guards,” Krehbiel said.
Of course, since Hunter has always been the consummate point guard, constantly thinking pass first, getting his teammates involved, and playing tenacious defense.
That year, in 2006, Boys Town won the state championship, its first in 40 years.
Kudos to Hunter for making a huge difference in kids’ lives and continuing to dish out assists in the game of life.
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