Legendary Boston Celtics public relations manager Jeff Twiss was properly honored at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his storied career with the Celtics, a recipient of the Hall’s the John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor short of an actual Hall of Fame induction for employees of basketball teams.
Twiss spoke to the assembled crowd and media as he received the award, thanking the franchise who gave him the opportunity as a young intern from the University of Vermont via iconic Celtics coach and executive Red Auerbach, and his family as well, per recent reporting on the event from the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “To my Celtics family for the last 44 years, what an amazing ride,” said Twiss. “As a 25-year-old intern in May of 1981, I watched the Celtics arrive in Boston after beating the Houston Rockets for the championship, they gingerly got off the plane after celebrating their victory.”
“I assumed this is what the NBA is all about,” he added. “Part of it is celebrations, but I learned the meaning of teamwork on and off the court and as Red Auerbach said, and we continue to believe today, the Celtics are not just a team, we are a family.”
“I’m a kid from Vermont who grew up fascinated with how the Boston Celtics played, how they were coached and how they were so successful every year,” recounted the Celtics public relations wizard. “I’m living my dream, working for this great organization. I’m so very fortunate to go to work every day and enjoy what I do.”
“To those who found something in me and worthy of this distinguished award, thank you,” said Twiss. “I will continue to do my very best to continue to fulfill what this award stands for. Mystique, pride, and tradition are words that are associated with the Boston Celtics. Red Auerbach … said I wanted a certain type of player and worker for the Celtics, this is a true winner.”
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