 Luckhurst was born on March 31, 1958 in Redbourn, Hertfordshire, he attended St Columba's College, St Albans in his home county before going on to attend St.Cloud State University in Minnesota and the University of California at Berkeley, where he starred in rugby as well as American football.He was a key player in leading the Cal Golden Bears to their first national collegiate rugby title in 1980, making 14 of 17 field goals and 18 of 19 extra points.