Hacket was born in Louisville Kentucky in 1949. He went to Manual High School where he played running back and linebacker. In 1966 he was All-State, All-Southern, and Parade Magazine All-American and was even believed to be the most talented player in his area overall. HIs talent would eventually lead to him getting scholarship offers, with one of those offers being from the University of Kentucky. Hacket decided to accept Kentucky's offer and chose to play line backer there from 1967- 1970. Although he recieved many death threats and threats of violence, he did not let the racism steer him away from his goal and decided to stick with football and pursue his dream. Little did he know, that decision would lead to a lifetime of accomplishments. Not only was he one of the first African Americans to play football in the SEC, he was also the first African American to ever start for any sport at the University of Kentucky which led to him being the first African American captain of a team in the SEC. After football he would eventually become an SEC umpire and an SEC official in 1998, where he officiated for 15 seasons.