TRENTON, N.J. -- Fritz Massmann, the head trainer for the New Jersey Nets for more than 20 years -- including the team's American Basketball Association heydays -- has died. He was 80.
Massmann died Sunday at his home in Babylon Village, N.Y., said Jim Lampariello, the team's former executive vice president. The cause of death wasn't immediately known.
Before starting a 22-year tenure with the Nets in 1970, Massmann had been a trainer at the collegiate level for nearly 20 years. He was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association's Hall of Fame in 1984, and held leadership positions with the organization for several years.
"His claim to fame was being with the Nets when they won the ABA championships with Julius Erving in the 70s," Lampariello said.
The team won the league title in the 1973-1974 and 1975-1976 seasons, and the locker room at the Continental Airlines Arena -- where the team now plays its home games -- was later named in Massmann's honor, said Gary Sussman, a team spokesman.
Former New York Knicks star Willis Reed, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, said he got to know Massmann after joining the Nets organization.
"Everyone who came in to contact with Fritz loved him, and he was very good at what he did," said Hall of Famer Willis Reed, who later served as head coach and general manager of the Nets. "He was a funny guy, but he also was strong-willed regarding what he believed in.
"We've lost a great guy and a great trainer."
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