Heat original trainer Ron Culp retiring after 37 NBA seasons

4/16/2008 9:50 PM

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP) -Fittingly, in a year when the Miami Heat were ravaged by injuries, they spent the season's final night paying tribute to their trainer.

Ron Culp, the longest-serving trainer in NBA history and one of the Heat organization's last remaining original employees, is retiring. His final game in his full-time role - the 3,001st regular-season game of his 37-year career - was Wednesday night, when the Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-99.

Sometime soon, Culp will slide into an undetermined role with the franchise. He was presented with a new truck as a going-away present Wednesday, and the Heat training room was renamed ``The Culp Room.''

And then came the big honor: A banner, just to the left of the 2006 NBA championship one, was unfurled from the rafters bearing Culp's name.

``He's been here 20 years,'' Heat coach Pat Riley said. ``He just got it done.''

Culp, a three-time NBA trainer of the year, was honored in a lengthy halftime ceremony. Every Heat player and coach was seated at midcourt instead of retreating into the locker room as per usual, and Culp was flanked by his two daughters, who were presented flowers by the team.

``You represent everything good that the Miami Heat stands for,'' Heat center Alonzo Mourning told Culp during the ceremony.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist sent a letter honoring Culp, and even NBA commissioner David Stern chimed in with a videotaped statement honoring what he called Culp's ``spectacular service to the NBA.''

``Thank you from the NBA,'' Stern said. ``Thank you for what you've meant to us.''

Riley said he and Culp began discussing retirement plans two years ago, and added that one of his fondest memories of this dismal Heat season was when Culp - who also served as Miami's travel coordinator - poured a round of champagne after Miami's final road game this season.

Culp had a style - and a look - all his own. It wasn't uncommon to see him walking through the locker room before games in shorts and a Heat golf shirt, with a distinctive bright red apron strapped across his body.

The team had the apron framed, much like a retired jersey would be.

``All of us players know he cares about us as individuals,'' said Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who presented Culp with the apron.

For games, Culp always donned a black blazer with ``Miami Heat'' emblazoned on one of the lapels. The blazer became such a Culp staple that it'll be sent to the Basketball Hall of Fame for display - something Culp wasn't aware of until Riley told him during the halftime event.

``It's kind of bittersweet,'' Heat forward Udonis Haslem said. ``I hate to see him go.''

Culp will be replaced by assistant trainer Jay Sabol.

``I told Jay the other day, he's got big shoes to fill,'' Riley said.

Culp is one of nine Heat original employees still with the team from its inception in 1988. He also worked with the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers, plus was the trainer for USA Basketball gold medal-winning teams in both Olympic and world championship play.

``He's everything to everybody,'' said Sammy Schulman, one of Miami's remaining original employees. ``He's your mom. He's your dad. Ron's always there for everybody.''