By Marisol Nicholson
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Earl Cureton, a former standout member of the men’s basketball team and member of the RMU Athletics Hall of Fame, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning at the age of 66.
Cureton played two seasons at Robert Morris, the second of which (1976-77) was RMU’s first as an NCAA Division I institution. That year he scored 446 points and pulled down a single-season school record 274 rebounds.
Cureton went on to play two seasons at University of Detroit (now Detroit Mercy), followed by a 12-year career in the NBA. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the third round of the 1979 NBA Draft (58th pick overall), Cureton also played for the Detroit Pistons (1983-86), Chicago Bulls (1986-87), Los Angeles Clippers (1986-88), Charlotte Hornets (1988-89, 1990-91), Houston Rockets (1993-94) and Toronto Raptors (1996-97). He won a pair of NBA Championships, earning rings with Philadelphia in 1983 and Houston in 1994.
He was inducted into the Robert Morris Hall of Fame in 1991.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Earl Cureton”, said RMU Pat Gallagher Head Coach Andrew Toole. “Getting the opportunity to spend time with him each year when we visited Detroit was one of the highlights of my season. He loved the game of basketball and he greatly enjoyed his time at RMU. I will greatly miss spending time with him, he was a true gentleman and great ambassador of the game.”
“The RMU Department of Athletics is saddened to hear about the loss of Earl Cureton,” said Vice President & Director of Athletics Chris King. “Earl was a vital part of RMU’s transition from junior college status to Division I. His legacy has left an everlasting impact not only on the RMU program but for all who had the chance to know him. He will be greatly missed.”
Cureton, who served as the analyst for Detroit Mercy games for over 15 years, was on the call for Saturday’s game against RMU.
He is survived by wife, Judith and daughter, Sari, who played basketball at Georgetown.
COURTESY ROBERT MORRIS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
