Glasgow native and national champion shot putter Jesse Stuart died Monday in Branson, Missouri. He was 73 years old.

Stuart competed for Western Kentucky from 1973-75, and his decorated career landed him a spot in the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame where he was inducted in 1993. In addition to his 1974 NCAA national championship, Stuart finished as an NCAA runner-up three times throughout his career. He also earned a place on the Ohio Valley Conference Half-Century Team after winning three consecutive OVC shot put conference championships.

“Jesse Stuart was a true legend in track and field,” WKU track and field head coach Brent Chumbley said in a news release. “From high school state records that still stand, to a national championship while at WKU, Jesse was the thrower that everyone aspired to be. His life was full and he was loved by so many. The news of his passing spread quickly throughout the WKU alumni community and the USA Track and Field community. He will be greatly missed and remembered fondly.

“An autographed picture of Jesse hangs in our office and reminds us of what is possible here at WKU. I will miss talking to Jesse, phone calls or lunch at Lisa’s. It was always special. WKU lost a legend, but he will never be forgotten.”

Stuart was among the nation’s best during all three seasons at WKU, earning five different All-America honors. He was both an indoor and outdoor All-American in 1973 and 1974 before adding an additional outdoor All-American honor in 1975. Stuart still owns the program’s indoor shot put record at 67 feet, 4 inches as well as the outdoor record with a mark of 68-2¼.

Before arriving at WKU, Stuart was already well accustomed to setting records in the shot put. While attending Glasgow High School, Stuart set the KHSAA boy’s shot put record in 1969 with a throw of 67-0. That record still stands today. That performance, along with several others, led to him being enshrined in the Kentucky High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Stuart also attended the University of Kentucky in 1971 before transferring to WKU, and won the SEC Championship in the shot put with a throw of 60-7.

After his decorated high school and collegiate careers, Stuart went on to compete professionally for over 13 years. He participated in both the Pan American Games and Mason-Dixon Games and earned three silver medals as a member of Team USA. He also won the US Open Track and Field Championship in 1980.

Stuart is recognized across the sports landscape in Kentucky. He is also a member of the KHSAA Hall of Fame and the Glasgow High School Hall of Fame. In 2023, Stuart’s name was forever etched into Hilltopper history when his jersey was retired at the annual Hilltopper Relays Meet.

A celebration of life for Stuart will be held Feb. 1 from 2-4 p.m. at Welcome Center Stormy Point Village, 201 Old Harbor Lane, Branson, MO 65616

A memorial service for interment of ashes at Chandler Chapel Columbarium on the campus of Western Kentucky will be held at a later date.