Jack Hurley

Jack's Pick: See Serena Williams at Family Circle Cup

Current World No. 1 and 2008 Family Circle Cup Champion Serena Williams has officially entered the 2010 Charleston event. Williams joins former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova, current World No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki, World No. 7 Victoria Azarenka, and 18-year-old American standout Melanie Oudin as a world class player field continues to assemble on Daniel Island to mark the tournament’s 38th consecutive year and 10th year in Charleston.

The Family Circle Cup is Jack Hurley's Charleston Travel Tip of the Week. This Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Premier Event, is scheduled April 10-18, 2010 at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island in historic Charleston. Click here for ticket information.

Six Degrees to Charleston… Even the Superbowl

Here’s the six degrees of separation:

1. Jack Hurley letters in football at William & Mary in 1970
2. Hurley played with Jimmye Laycock
3. Jimmye Laycock later coached at the Citadel
4. Laycock became Head Coach at William & Mary
5. Laycock coaches Mike Tomlin in 1995
6. Tomlin is coaching the Superbowl-bound Pittsburgh Steelers

Jack Hurley, prominent real estate professional in the greater Charleston area and '72 alum of William & Mary, has linked the Superbowl to Charleston. Hurley played tight and split end on the W&M football team with the current Tribe Head Football Coach Jimmye Laycock in 1970 under legendary coach Lou Holtz.

Now, a 1995 alum of William & Mary, Mike Tomlin, coached by Jimmye Laycock, will become the youngest head coach to lead a team into the Super Bowl when his Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Arizona Cardinals.

And the world now is finding out what many at William & Mary already knew – Mike Tomlin, and his quick rise to national prominence, represents a special story in American sports. Numerous articles and broadcasts, including recent stories in the New York Times, ESPN and extensive local coverage in his hometown newspapers, have featured Tomlin and his connection to William & Mary. (Click here to see the video from ESPN-2.)

“When he became a coordinator in the National Football League, I told people it's just a matter of time now before he becomes a head coach,” Laycock said in a recent story on ESPN.com. "His presence, his personality, his intelligence and the way he gets along with people are terrific. And with his leadership, he has a great way of being confident but without being cocky in the way he does things.”

William & Mary presented Tomlin with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the 2008 graduation.