News Summary
Kurt Hester, the strength and performance director for the University of Houston football program, was hospitalized and missed a recent game due to complications from stage IV melanoma. Despite his diagnosis, Hester has remained committed to coaching and has drawn motivation from his connection to the team. Players show solidarity by wearing wristbands in his honor. Hester emphasizes the importance of faith and discipline in his fight against cancer, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience and dedication.
Houston – Kurt Hester, the director of strength and performance for the University of Houston football program, was hospitalized and could not attend the Cougars’ game against Arizona, which they won 31-28. Hester, diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in late February 2023, is currently battling an infection as confirmed by a school spokesman. Hester’s absence from the game has sparked concern among players, coaches, and supporters of the football program.
Hester, aged 61, is in his second season with the Cougars and has previously held the same role at Tulane under head coach Willie Fritz for two years. His journey with cancer began in January 2023 when a broken rib from lifting weights led to medical imaging, which revealed a mass in his lungs and several tumors on his liver. The grim prognosis provided by doctors suggested that he had only four to six weeks to live and encouraged him to make peace with family and prepare for hospice care.
Defying expectations, Hester opted for a proactive approach to combat his illness rather than succumbing to despair. He faced severe fatigue, significant weight loss from 190 to 143 pounds, and struggled with daily tasks but remained committed to coaching. To support his recovery, he implemented a rigorous treatment plan that included a vegetarian diet, red light therapy, hyperbaric chamber sessions, fasting, and a variety of vitamins and supplements.
Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Hester has drawn motivation from his connection to the team. He characterized the players as “112 therapists,” stating that staying involved with the football team provides him with therapeutic support. His dedication to coaching has brought him improvements in his physical condition, including enhanced breathing and an increase in strength, and he has started to regain weight.
The University of Houston football players have displayed their solidarity by wearing wristbands that read, “I’m in the fight for someone I love,” to honor Hester’s battle against cancer. His resilience has made a significant impact on both the team and coaching staff, reflecting on personal challenges while observing Hester’s unwavering spirit. His commitment to face this health challenge is a source of inspiration and motivation for those around him.
Hester regards this fight against cancer as a pivotal life challenge, fostering hope grounded in significant milestones, such as his son’s wedding and the birth of his first grandchild. He maintains a sense of humor while handling his situation, joking about a T-shirt design that refers to his own “Death Tour 2025.”
Throughout his health struggles, Hester has emphasized the importance of faith in his life and journey. He highlights the interplay between discipline and struggle, with a focus on the hope of triumph over adversity. This philosophy further reinforces his role as a source of strength and inspiration for both the players and the coaches in the University of Houston football program, demonstrating resilience amidst personal hardship.
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Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: Kurt Hester Hospitalized
- Wikipedia: Cancer
- SI.com: Houston Cougars Coach’s Battle with Cancer
- Google Search: Kurt Hester
- University of Houston: Kurt Hester Profile
- Google Scholar: Cancer Treatment
- Houston Chronicle: Coach Hester’s Cancer Journey
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cancer
- Yardbarker: TNT Showcased Houston Cougars
- Google News: Houston Cougars
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