When you think of famous athletes, Hampden County, Massachusetts may not be the first place that comes to mind. However, this county in western Massachusetts has produced some notable athletes who have made a name for themselves in the world of sports. While some have moved on from their athletic careers, they continue to call Hampden County home. In this article, I will take a closer look at some of the famous retired athletes currently living in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
The Rise of Hampden County Athletes
Hampden County may not have the same level of recognition as other counties in Massachusetts, such as Suffolk or Middlesex.However, this county has a rich history when it comes to producing talented athletes. One of the most notable names is basketball legend Julius Erving, also known as Dr. J. Erving was born and raised in Roosevelt Park, a neighborhood in Springfield, the largest city in Hampden County. Erving's rise to fame began at Springfield's Longmeadow High School, where he led his team to two consecutive state championships.
He then went on to play college basketball at the University of Massachusetts Amherst before being drafted into the American Basketball Association (ABA) and later the National Basketball Association (NBA). Erving's successful career earned him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, which is located in Springfield. Another notable athlete from Hampden County is Tony Gaffney, a professional basketball player who was born and raised in Springfield. Gaffney attended high school at Westfield High School and went on to play college basketball at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He then played professionally in Europe and briefly in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
Retired Athletes in Hampden County
While Hampden County may not have a professional sports team, it has produced several athletes who have gone on to have successful careers in various sports.One of these athletes is former NFL player Ron Brace, who was born and raised in Springfield. Brace attended Burncoat High School in Worcester before playing college football at Boston College. He was then drafted by the New England Patriots in 2009 and played for them until 2012. Another retired athlete from Hampden County is former MLB player Mark Gubicza, who was born and raised in Springfield. Gubicza attended St.
Catherine of Siena School and then went on to play baseball at William J. Dean Technical High School. He was then drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1984 and played for them until 1996. One of the most recent retired athletes from Hampden County is former NFL player Victor Cruz, who was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey but currently resides in Springfield. Cruz attended Paterson Catholic High School before playing college football at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
He then went on to play for the New York Giants from 2010 to 2016.
Life After Sports
While these retired athletes may have moved on from their professional sports careers, they continue to make an impact in their communities. Many of them have started foundations or charities to give back to their hometowns and help those in need. For example, Victor Cruz started the Victor Cruz Foundation, which focuses on promoting education, health, and fitness for children in underserved communities. Some retired athletes have also found success in other fields after their sports careers ended. Tony Gaffney is now a successful real estate agent in Springfield, while Mark Gubicza is a sports commentator for the Los Angeles Angels.Ron Brace unfortunately passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on through the Ron Brace Foundation, which provides support and resources for children in need.
