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 a long-standing tradition of producing top talent in various sports. From basketball to football to track and field, Hampden County has made its mark on the world of athletics.
The Rise of Hampden County Athletes
Hampden County is home to several cities and towns, including Springfield, the third largest city in Massachusetts. It is also home to several prestigious colleges and universities, such as Springfield College and Western New England University.These institutions have played a significant role in shaping the athletic landscape of the county. One of the most notable athletes from Hampden County is basketball legend Julius Erving, also known as Dr. J. Erving was born and raised in Roosevelt Park, a neighborhood in Springfield. He attended Springfield Central High School before going on to play college basketball at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Erving's impressive skills on the court earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Chris Herren
, another basketball star from Hampden County, also attended Springfield Central High School. He went on to play for Boston College and Fresno State before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999. However, Herren's career was cut short due to struggles with substance abuse. He has since become an advocate for addiction recovery and founded The Herren Project, a non-profit organization that helps individuals struggling with addiction.The Impact of Football in Hampden County
Football is another sport that has a strong presence in Hampden County. The county is home to the University of Massachusetts Amherst football team, which has produced several notable players, including Victor Cruz.Cruz, who grew up in nearby Paterson, New Jersey, played college football at UMass before going on to have a successful career in the NFL. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2012 and helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLVI. Another standout football player from Hampden County is Ron Brace, who attended Burncoat High School in Worcester before playing for Boston College. Brace was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2009 and spent four seasons with the team before his untimely death in 2016. He was posthumously inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Legacy of Track and Field Athletes
Hampden County has also produced some exceptional track and field athletes. One of the most notable is Carl Lewis, who was born in Birmingham, Alabama but moved to Willingboro, New Jersey at a young age.Lewis attended Willingboro High School before going on to compete at the University of Houston. He is considered one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time, winning nine Olympic gold medals and eight World Championship gold medals.
John Thomas
, another track and field star from Hampden County, was born and raised in Springfield. He attended Springfield Technical High School before competing at Boston University. Thomas set a world record in the high jump at the age of 19 and went on to win a silver medal at the 1960 Olympics.The Recognition of Hampden County Athletes
The athletic achievements of individuals from Hampden County have not gone unnoticed.In addition to being inducted into various sports hall of fames, these athletes have also received recognition from their hometowns and the state of Massachusetts. In 2019, the city of Springfield honored Julius Erving by renaming a street near the Basketball Hall of Fame "Dr. J Way." The city also unveiled a statue of Erving outside the MassMutual Center, where he played for the Springfield Armor in 2010.
Carl Lewis
was inducted into the Massachusetts Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and was also honored with a statue in his hometown of Willingboro, New Jersey. In 2012, he was named one of the "50 Greatest Athletes from New Jersey" by Sports Illustrated.The Future of Hampden County Athletes
As we look to the future, it's clear that Hampden County will continue to produce top athletes. The county is home to several high schools and colleges with strong athletic programs, providing opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and reach their full potential. One promising athlete from Hampden County is Tyler Lydon, a basketball player from Elizabethtown, New York who attended New Hampton School in New Hampshire.Lydon went on to play for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2017. He is currently playing for the Sacramento Kings.
