Coach, Jam Lady, Mamma Hurt, Foxy Filly, and Mom are just a few of the names that beloved Excelsior Springs icon, Sherri Branson-Hurt is known by. Sherri, who has lived her entire life, in Excelsior Springs was a star athlete in her youth, and eventually became a coach and teacher in the Excelsior Springs School District. Even in retirement, she’s remained active in the community serving on the Parks and Recreation Board of Directors and substitute teaching as often as she can. She’s known for her delicious treats, canning skills, and her deep dedication to the youth of our community. She has a passion for music and theatre and has been actively involved in community theatre locally. Her love for Excelsior Springs runs deep and there is no doubt she is a champion for the betterment of the community.
Growing up, Sherri was number six of her seven brothers and sisters and she says that having those older siblings instilled a competitive spirit in her. She was in a relatively small group of locals who attended St. Ann’s Catholic School until the 9th grade. She attributed her success in sports throughout high school and beyond to her early days of playing games with her large family. During the late 60s and early 70s she, her sister Sondra, and her friends were a part of the Excelsior Springs Foxy Fillies, a highly competitive softball team. “Those were some of the best times of my life. We would play down at Siloam ballpark and the stands would be completely filled. We had a real following,” she recalled fondly.
In addition to softball, Sherri was a standout tennis player, she and her tennis partner Jenny Cogburn won the equivalent of a state title her senior year of high school. She went on to attend CMSU (now University of Central Missouri) where she was a part of the tennis team. While at CMSU she was recruited to also play field hockey. When asked how her field hockey team performed, she mentioned off-hand that they went to Nationals two years in a row. She said the first year their flight was canceled because of a snow storm and the next year they finished 13th in the nation. In 2016 Sherri was inducted into the Excelsior Springs High School Hall of Fame for her athletic prowess and dedication to physical education.
After returning home from CMSU, Sherri became heavily involved in the community theatre for more than 10 years. “Actually, music was probably my first love. But I just couldn’t do athletics, get all my coursework, and pursue music,” she said. Sherri recalled the many shows and fellow citizens she worked with at the old East High School where the performances were held. She said she especially loved the musicals, with her favorite show being Once Upon a Mattress. “We had a great group, I loved working with Cress Hewitt, Sharon and Kent Powell, Jeanie Buckman, Gene Hanson, and Tim Thompson to name a few. “It was another great time in my life just because I love to sing,” she smiled.
Sherri had been doing some substitute teaching when mid-year she was asked to fill in for a science teacher who suddenly left. That spring, she was offered a job as a physical education teacher at Westview Elementary and she jumped at the chance. “I spent a half year in earth science and 31 years as an elementary physical education teacher at Westview,” Sherri beamed. Over the course of her teaching career, Sherri touched the lives of countless children. As a ‘specials’ teacher she interacted with every student in the school. That, combined with her knack for remembering names and faces has endeared her to generations of Excelsior Springs Tigers. For many years Sherri also coached track and field at the high school where she helped many of the athletes excel.
Sherri’s connection to the students of Excelsior Springs has become a sort of a joke within her own family. “When I’m with the grandkids we play a little game called How Many People will Grandma Know?” she laughs. And the truth is, she knows a lot. Sherri recalled stories of crossing paths with former students all across the country, whether, on trips into Kansas City or vacations to Mt. Rushmore or Universal Studios, she said she bumps into former students almost everywhere she goes. The only thing that brings her more pride than her connection with her former students is her connection with her family. Her children, Jimmy, Jake, Adrian, Joe, Melissa, and Lanie have all made her very proud, and her face lights up as she speaks about each one of their accomplishments.
Sherri is proud to call Excelsior Springs her home, and Excelsior Springs is certainly glad to have Sherri here with us, cheering us on. You may hear her roar, “Let’s GO, Tigers!”
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Sherri was a classmate. But the write-up left out the name I knew her by – Robertson. I always look forward to seeing Sherri at reunions. A quality person, and one I am happy to call friend.
What a great write up, you are definitely all those things glad that I know you