Richard W Bavetta was born on December 10,1939 and is an American retired professional basketball referee for the National Basketball Association.
21 Facts About Dick Bavetta
2.
Dick Bavetta debuted in the league in 1975 and never missed an assigned game, and he holds the league record for most officiated games with 2,635.
3.
Dick Bavetta's father was an officer for the New York Police Department, and his mother was a homemaker.
4.
Dick Bavetta attended Power Memorial Academy in New York City and is a 1962 graduate of St Francis College in New York and played on the schools' basketball teams.
5.
Dick Bavetta began officiating after his brother, Joe, who officiated for the American Basketball Association, convinced him that it would be an interesting career.
6.
Dick Bavetta was finally hired by the NBA in 1975 following the retirement of Mendy Rudolph.
7.
Dick Bavetta debuted December 2,1975 at Madison Square Garden in an NBA game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics.
8.
Dick Bavetta ran six to eight miles and took three-hour naps every day.
9.
Dick Bavetta's effort paid off when he emerged as one of the best referees.
10.
Dick Bavetta was assigned to officiate his first playoff game in 1986.
11.
Dick Bavetta believed that this game assisted in the progression of his career in the NBA.
12.
Dick Bavetta's career was threatened when he was accidentally hit in the nose by Pacers forward Jalen Rose, who was trying to punch Knicks center Patrick Ewing during a 1999 game between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks.
13.
Dick Bavetta did not leave the game immediately, opting to wait until later in the day to have surgery.
14.
Dick Bavetta returned the next day to officiate an Atlanta Hawks-New Jersey Nets game.
15.
Dick Bavetta said the secret to his longevity was "wearing five pairs of socks", which he claims helped keep his feet in good shape.
16.
Dick Bavetta has established and financed the Lady Bavetta Scholarships since 1986 in honor of his daughters, awarded to high school minority children based on their needs.
17.
Dick Bavetta has volunteered since 1992 with Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch working with children and teens with a multitude of medical special needs.
18.
Dick Bavetta lost the race despite a last-second dive and Barkley running the last portion of the race backwards.
19.
Dick Bavetta overruled Strom on a crucial last-second personal foul call against the Nets, which would have been a victory for the 76ers.
20.
Dick Bavetta's uniform was allegedly ripped and he was wearing a big welt over his eye, running to get away from Strom.
21.
Dick Bavetta was one of three referees for the Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Lakers.