The Roanoke Catholic Celtics are 6-4 on the year. A modest record for a team rich in talent. They also have a wealth of knowledge from their head coach who has been a few places during his career that has spanned over four decades.
Bill Hodges is the subject of this week's "Hometown Hoops."
"They probably carry me into my grave with a basketball in my hands," said Hodges.
At 67, Coach Bill Hodges is alive and kicking.
"It is an experience because coach tells you something new every single day," said Matt Moats.
Since embarking on a career in 1968, Hodges has been a head coach at 18 different schools in 11 different states. But he still calls one place home.
"Terre Haute, Indiana was one of my favorite places," said Hodges.
It was there that magic happened, or shall I say Larry!
"Who is this guy?," asked News7's Chris Miles. "That is Larry Bird," said Hodges.
As the story goes, Larry Bird quit basketball and dropped out of school. That is until Coach Hodges found him.
"He was working for the street department in French Lick. On Wednesdays they picked up the trash," said Hodges.
Hodges not only offered Larry a scholarship to attend Indiana State, but he also lured him in with a job opportunity. They went on to play for a national championship. An experience that the NBA Hall of Famer still recognizes as a pinnacle in his career
"Great opportunity for us to do something in the school that was never done before," said Bird.
There is one lesson that Coach Hodges wants his current players to learn from his star pupil.
"Every practice we had he worked harder than anyone in practice," said Hodges.
The message was heard loud and clear.
"If we have a bad practice, he might just kick us out of the gym," said Andre Washington.
In a bit of coincidence, Coach Hodges current team also bares the name of the team that his brightest star shined so brightly for.
"He coached someone that played for the Celtics and now he came to the Celtics," said Matt Moats.
Who knows, maybe the next Celtics Legend is playing for Coach Hodges right now.
