Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Weekly 150: Ray Melchiorre

From the Bethel Wildcats to the NBA, Boston Celtics

Posted

Occasionally a story will come across my desk that I find interesting and file away for safe keeping. The story of Ray Melchiorre came through from Bethel University’s Sport Information Department a few weeks ago, naturally it was a Monday and there was no time to read it. This weekend, while I was attempting to find a muse for this week’s article I came across the story again in my email. I found it to be a pretty good read and I would like to share it with our readers this week.

If you stroll down the east hallway of Crisp Arena you can view plaques honoring 104 individuals and six teams which have been enshrined into the Bethel University Sports Hall-of-Fame. This past November marked the 41st class which was honored.

Behind every plaque there is a story of hard work, perseverance, and blessings which led to greatness. These unique and many times unknown stories explain why and how individuals and teams come to be recognized on the wall.

One of those plaques honors a gentleman who now resides in Brookshire, Texas. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native was stationed in the Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in the mid 1960s when he met a young lady from McKenzie. He was considering several schools in Kentucky and Tennessee to begin his college career. She told him about a small school named Bethel College. He decided the school and athletic department would be a good fit. He majored in health and physical education, and his minor was psychology. Those fields led him to a lifetime he could have never imagined. He met the love of his life at Bethel and later married Elizabeth Drake who graduated from Bethel in 1968.

After being a student trainer for various athletic squads he graduated from Bethel in 1970. He was considering opportunities which matched his field. During his tenure at Bethel, he served as a trainer for the All-American College basketball game held in Memphis. He also served in Louisville as the trainer for the Kentucky All-Stars who were playing the Tennessee All-Stars. Legendary Hall-of-Famer Adolph Rupp coached the Kentucky squad.

After those experiences, he sent letters to almost every NBA and ABA team seeking opportunities as a trainer. The Pittsburgh Condors of the American Basketball Association hired him, beginning a storied career in professional basketball for Bethel Hall-of-Famer Ray Melchiorre. After two seasons in Pittsburgh, the Buffalo Braves hired him. He was with the Braves for six years.

With an established career Ray became one of the more famous and recognizable trainers in the history of the NBA at his next stop. Along with a rookie named Larry Bird, Ray became a Boston Celtic in 1979. He would serve as the trainer and traveling secretary for the storied franchise for eight seasons. He would sit alongside coaches Dave Cowens, Bill Fitch and K.C. Jones. NBA legend Red Auerbach was the president of the Celtics during his tenure.

While with the Celtics, winners of six titles during his tenure, Ray worked with the likes of Bird, Cowens, Dennis Johnson, Nate Archibald, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Cedric Maxwell, M.L. Carr, Don Chaney, Rick Robey, Danny Ainge, Robert Parrish, and “Pistol” Pete Maravich.

In a recent conversation with Ray, we discussed his time in professional basketball and with the Celtics. He shared his thoughts on the following:

Red Auerbach: “He was a true genius. Red could watch a practice and bring up facets of the game better than anyone. Just the way a player positioned his feet on offense or defense was an example. His motto of ‘Winning is Everything’ was his moniker. He could adjust to things as great as anyone who was ever involved in the game.”

Larry Bird: “The Celtics had been really bad for a couple of years before Larry arrived. Bird was the epitome of hard work and desire. It was special for me as I arrived in Boston the same year as Larry. He was the greatest ‘trash talker’ in basketball. Nothing or no one ever intimidated him. He was and is a true legend of the game.”

Don Chaney: “Don was always one of my favorites. He was a talented player who was underrated by some. He was a great teammate and leader.”

Johnny Most: “Johnny was the voice of the Celtics for many seasons. He was beloved by Celtic fans and was quite a character. We shared many fond memories about the games and life.”

Pistol Pete: “Pete was at the end of his career when he was with the Celtics. I was impressed with his leadership and his willingness to be a support player on a team of stars. He was a fine Christian who the players respected. He is a true legend of the game.”

Bill Fitch: “Bill was an excellent coach who I later joined in Houston with the Rockets. He was successful in all his stops and a coach the players enjoyed playing for.”

Dennis Johnson: “Dennis was a great defensive player who sparked the Celtics to a lot of wins. He was the guy the Celtics could depend upon to make big baskets on the offensive end as well.”

Ray did more than just tape ankles of legends. He was not the household name many of the players were and are, but he was as important as anyone in the organization. The players loved and respected him.

As a sidenote, Ray even helped them avoid a practice one day. Bird had a tradition which involved him hitting a half-court shot after practice. If he hit the shot, the Celtics didn’t have to practice the next day. On one occasion Bird kept missing. Every player failed to hit one as well. At the urging of the players, Ray was coaxed into attempting the shot. Ray proved he could do more than just keep the team healthy; he hit the shot.

After his tenure with Boston, Ray had a successful stint with the Rockets and then with the LA Clippers. He was a trainer in professional basketball for more than 25 years.

It was a pleasure to speak with Ray about his time at Bethel which paved the way for a career in professional basketball.

Ray Melchiorre, a true legend, and a Bethel University Hall-of-Famer.