Kurty was a soccer coach, first with the Ludlow public schools and later Westfield State College.
John Kurty
WESTFIELD - The 86-year-old man who died from injuries suffered when he was hit by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle on Western Avenue has been identified as John Kurty< of Westfield, police said.
Kurty was an legendary soccer coach, first with the Ludlow public schools and later Westfield State College. He retired from as a physical education instructor at the college, now Westfield State University, in 1988.
Kurty was critically injured Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by pickup truck as he rode his bicycle on Western Avenue at about 2 p.m. The accident happened near the university's Woodward Center, directly across from Stanley Park.
Kurty later died of injuries at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
Police said Kurty and the truck were each heading in the same direction when he was struck.
Police have not released the name of the driver. The accident remains under investigation by the police department's traffic bureau.
Kurty was elected into the Westfield State Athletic Hall of Fame for his career at the college as soccer coach. From 1966 - 1977, he compiled a record of 153 wins, 36 losses, and 13 ties. At the time of his retirement, his winning percentage of .790 was the highest on record for New England colleges and universities. He also coached volleyball and was an assistant coach for the baseball team, according to the college.
Prior to coaching at Westfield State, Kurty was soccer coach at Ludlow High School where he had a record of 150 wins, 19 losses and 19 ties over 10 years. His team won three consecutive state titles.
In 2007, he was elected into the Ludlow High School Sports Hall of Fame, both as a player and as a coach.