You Miss Every Shot You Don’t Take

Law Student Xavier Hurt’s Journey from Brooklyn to Law School

There’s an old basketball adage: “You miss every shot you don’t take.” Xavier Hurt is living proof of what can happen when you cast aside your fear of failure and take the shot.

Several years ago, Hurt considered attending law school but was afraid he wouldn’t be accepted. Today, he is a rising 3L part-time student at the Wilmington University School of Law, a member of its inaugural class, and a recent recipient of national recognition, earning the award for Best Opening Statement at the Chapman Challenge Competition.

How did he get to this point? The short answer is, he let go of fear. The long answer follows.

Hurt was born and raised in Brooklyn by his mother, Ann Marie Hurt. When he was in high school, she taught at a school next to a police precinct, a proximity that would prove pivotal. Ann Marie became friends with an officer and introduced him to her son. The officer informed Hurt about the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), sparking his early interest in the field of criminal justice, particularly law enforcement.

When it came time to apply to college, Hurt chose Delaware State University, primarily because it housed the first collegiate chapter of NOBLE. (Ann Marie had hoped he’d attend her alma mater, Howard University, but it didn’t offer a Criminal Justice major.) DSU turned out to be the right choice. Hurt stepped out of his comfort zone, immersed himself in his coursework, joined the NOBLE chapter, and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. One lesson from a fraternity brother still resonates:

“Remember your ‘why.’ If your ‘why’ is strong enough, it becomes your ‘how.’”

After graduating in 2018 with a degree in Criminal Justice, Hurt began working in the fraud unit at Bank of America. Two years later, his path took an unexpected turn when he became fascinated with Tesla’s technology. After months of research, he decided to sell Teslas, seeing the role as another kind of investigation. He enjoyed explaining the technology to customers who appreciated his knowledge and warmth.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Hurt binge-watched shows like NCIS, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, and FBI. He became increasingly intrigued by courtroom strategy. His mother had often said he’d make a great lawyer, both for his communication skills and ability to argue.

When he learned that Wilmington University was opening a law school, he asked Ann Marie for her thoughts. Her immediate response: “Jump out there!”

When he hesitated, noting that the school was new and not yet accredited, she said, “It’s WilmU. They have a good reputation.” Looking back, Ann Marie says, “I might not have been so encouraging if it wasn’t WilmU.”

Hurt loved the school’s mission, vision, and affordability. He thought it would be exciting to be part of the inaugural class, but he also feared rejection. Then he remembered his mom’s advice and the shot he didn’t want to miss. 

“If I don’t apply to WilmU Law, I’m an idiot,” he says. 

So, he applied and was admitted to Wilmington University School of Law in 2023.

Hurt credits Ann Marie for his success. “My mother made me who I am and always had my back,” he says, adding that one of her greatest lessons was to be curious.

“Mom made sure I tried things. She taught me not to be afraid and to ask questions,” he says.

According to Ann Marie, “Xavier is the epitome of not being afraid to try new things.” 

Hurt believes that curiosity is his best trait, one that has served him well in law school. He jokes that it may be genetic: “My mom is very curious and smart,” he says, while Ann Marie calls him “a sponge.”

As an educator for 24 years, Ann Marie worked diligently to expose her son to the world of sports, books, museums, cooking, music, travel, and diverse cultures. She proudly shares that he earned a perfect score on the Regents exam and can write better than she can. “He took it to another level,” she says.

Ann Marie once worried that, as the child of a single parent in Brooklyn, people might underestimate him. But she knew that with his drive and the support of their “village,” he would succeed. Today, she says she can see him becoming a judge.

His biggest challenge in law school? “Finding balance,” he says, without hesitation.

Hurt hadn’t been in school since 2018 and was juggling law school, a full-time job, now at Capital One, and a family. (He has two sons, Kaiden and Kendal.) But he remembered his “why.” As his DSU friends used to say:

“Temporary sacrifice for a lifetime of paradise.”

By his second year, he found his rhythm — getting to the gym after class to work off stress and carving out quality time with his sons. He also discovered a love for trial advocacy and his natural talent. He says he was “beyond shocked” to win Best Opening Statement at the Chapman Challenge, WilmU Law’s first competition.

Now entering his third year, Hurt speaks with gratitude and clarity about what sets Wilmington University School of Law apart. “The professors are phenomenal,” he says. “They are amazing, and I love their experience and their teaching style. I love the student-centered focus and the support system. Everyone — professors, staff, deans — is accessible and supportive.”

Hurt encourages others considering law school to focus on possibilities, not limitations.

“It’s important to remember that where you are at the moment doesn’t determine where you can go,” he says. “I started in an inner-city neighborhood in Brooklyn and made it here.”

Looking ahead, Hurt plans to graduate from law school and become a member of the Delaware Bar — and perhaps others. He hopes to give back to the community, pass along the lessons his mother taught him to his two sons, and help them grow into strong, thoughtful men.

He also wants to keep exploring the world through travel, culture, cooking, and fishing.

Where his curiosity will take him next is anyone’s guess — but he’s ready to take the shot.

  —Jan Jurden