HEAT Original: Ron Culp

With shootarounds, practices and games happening almost every other day, the life of an NBA athletic trainer is never dull. Players need their ankles or knees taped, muscles need massage therapy and electro stimulation. With his trademark red apron, golf shirts and shorts, Ron Culp filled that role for the Miami HEAT for 20 years.

“I’ve been so fortunate. I grew up in the NBA,” said Culp. “With the HEAT, this is absolutely and truly is a family atmosphere, and it was fun! It was work, but it was fun. I never thought ‘I don’t want to go to work.’ I was always excited!”

Working more than 3,000 regular season games in his career, Culp usually watched the action intently, but not the scoreboard. His most important priority was to keep the players healthy. His keen eye noticed if they landed awkwardly, or if they seemed injured.

“Watching the game, I wanted to observe what the players were doing,” noted the Ohio native. “If an injury occurred, it’s important for me to know how it happened. I get a great deal of personal satisfaction when an injured player would get back on the floor and be able to play again, because I know how hard they work.”

Culp’s illustrious career in the NBA began in 1970 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He then spent 13 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining the HEAT in 1987. Culp is the only athletic trainer ever to be honored as the NBA Trainer of the Year three times. The Bowling Green University graduate set an NBA record in 2007-08, when he notched his 37th NBA season as a full-time employee. During halftime of the final game of that season, the HEAT honored Culp with a ceremony, presented him with a new truck and renamed the HEAT training room “The Culp Room.” The biggest moment that night came when a banner honoring Culp was unveiled next to the 2006 NBA Championship one.

Nowadays, Culp can still be found at the HEAT offices, but with a new title. His new business cards read “Senior Director of Stuff.” He helps the team with various fundraisers and conducts speaking engagements. He talks to high school and colleges, where he encourages the physical therapy students to get into different medical specialties. With middle schools and upper elementary schools, Culp talks about basic fitness and nutrition.