Banner Sports Sponsored by the Patriots Foundation
A 4.2-mile running event and a 2.1-mile walking event will occur at Franklin Park, entitled the “Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center’s Road Race to Promote Health, Wellness, and Athletic Excellence.” Proceeds from this fundraising event will go to facility enhancements and programming at The Reggie.
The festivities will continue at the William Devine Golf Course in July with a tournament fundraiser for the Center. In September, the RLTAC will host a free health, wellness, and healing forum to focus on and prioritize physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. There will be thought-provoking panel discussions, a resource fair, a “Wellness Row,” featuring community health resources and screenings, and a “Day of Play” with basketball tournaments, soccer, football and running clinics.
Other activities will include mindfulness, tai chi, dance, yoga, resources and screenings.
The celebrations will culminate on Saturday, October 4, 2025, when the center will bring together community leaders, supporters and partners to honor The Reggie’s 30-year enduring legacy and its impact on generations of local athletes and families. The evening will feature great food from local BIPOC-owned restaurants, live entertainment and inspiring honorees.
The 30th anniversary of the opening of the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center has seen several impressive records broken on the 200-meter indoor Mondo Super X track, including Brockton High School student Lucas Andrade’s recent record of 7.22 seconds in the 55-meter indoor hurdles event. In total, more than 41 records have been broken at the facility. Further, the 1994 Roxbury Community College basketball team won the National Junior College Athletic Association championship in the basketball facility, a nice tribute to Number 35.
Celtic Reggie Lewis, an NBA All-Star, died in 1993. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DUKE BASKETBALL REPORT
During its 30-year history, The Reggie welcomed many celebrated people, including President Obama, and administered 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine shots. It hosted the MIAA State Championships, the New England High School Championships, Boston Indoor Games and USA Indoor Track and Field Championships multiple times.
Roxbury Community College has operated the facility for multiple city and state track events, basketball, and other athletic and social activities. This year, the center has increased its programming schedule to include a variety of local fitness classes that revolve around wellness and connection.
The RLTAC has recently partnered with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) whose motto is, “Promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports.” A full slate of classes from cardio and endurance to strength and conditioning will cater to the seasoned veteran and the novice fitness buff. Seniors are welcome to participate and have daily courses just for them.
This world-class complex was named after NBA star Reggie Lewis, born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 21, 1965. He was the fifth man on the famed Dunbar High School basketball team, where he played alongside NBA greats Reggie Williams, David Wingate and Muggsy Bogues.
Lewis came to Boston to attend Northeastern University, where he holds the Huskies’ all-time scoring record of 2,708 points. His Northeastern teams won the ECAC North four years in a row and played in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, missing the Sweet 16 in 1983-4 by a Virginia Commonwealth buzzer-beater. He was a first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics in 1987 and joined the team as a hometown hero. He averaged almost 18 points a game and was a defensive stalwart and an NBA All-Star.
Reggie tragically died of heart failure while working out at Brandeis University on July 27, 1993.
“Our family carries the memory of Reggie in our hearts every single day,” said his mother, Peggy Ritch. “Not a day goes by that my children and I fail to reflect on Reggie and what he meant to our family. We talk about him every day to keep his memory alive.”
The saga of Reggie Lewis continues to fill the memories of many good people in Boston. Many tears were shed on that day. You can still find murals painted on buildings around the city honoring the fallen captain of the Boston Celtics.
On October 4, 1995, the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially opened the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Crossing. This year, Roxbury Community College is planning for the next 30 years and beyond.
Every person who wishes to honor Reggie Lewis’s legacy should visit the place and the building that carries his name.
This gifted professional basketball player passed from this life tragically, but his legacy lives on in a tremendous and unique facility in the heart of Roxbury that continues to hold world class events.
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center’s Road Race
Location: Shattuck Picnic Grove (Start and finish)
• 2-Mile Walk: One loop around the paved perimeter of the golf course.
• 4-Mile Run: A gorgeous route through the park.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three female and male overall finishers.
Entry fees are $30.00 for the walk and $30.00 for the run.
