News Topic - Boston Celtics

Friends, family, clergy remember David Woodman
The 22-year-old Southwick man died 11 days after he collapsed while struggling with Boston police during a celebration of the Boston Celtics championship win. David J. WoodmanBy GEORGE GRAHAM ggraham@repub.com SIMSBURY, Conn. - David J. Woodman was remembered this morning as young man who loved life, always spoke his mind, and was steadfast in his faith. The 2004 Southwick-Tolland Regional High School graduate was also fiercely devoted to his family, The Rev. Daniel Selbo, a longtime friend of the Woodman family, said. "David loved his family," Selbo said during a memorial service at Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church. "He was a wonderful oldest brother." Along with his parents, Jeffrey D. and Cathleen M. Woodman, Woodman leaves two brothers, Luke and Paul, and a sister, Aimee, all of Southwick. Although Woodman lived in Brookline, he often traveled home to see his family. Or, family members would in turn travel to Brookline to visit their son and brother, Selbo said. The 22-year-old Woodman died June 28, nearly two weeks after he collapsed while struggling with Boston police during a celebration of the Boston Celtics championship win. Police said they spotted Woodman drinking from an open container of what they believed was alcohol. Woodman had been hospitalized at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Selbo spoke movingly of the moments the 22-year-old shared with his family during 11 days there. Hundreds attended the service, and the sanctuary was filled to capacity and then some. Others gathered in the building's fellowship hall, where the service was piped in. Selbo also spoke of Woodman's concern for others - especially those less fortunate than he. He befriended the homeless in his Brookline neighborhood, treating them with respect and dignity. Woodman's roomate, Selbo said, once spoke of Woodman going outside to talk to a homeless man in a conversation ultimately stretched long into the night. Presiding minister, the Rev. Robert P. McGurn, spoke of Woodman's faith, his efforts to enact the lessons of the church into his life and the lives of those around him. The service started and ended with the skirl of bagpipes. Inside the airy sanctuary, sunlight waxed and waned against the walls as the hour-plus service unfolded. Afterward, friends and family gathered under a tent to share pizza and what McGurn described as "David stories." The FBI is investigating whether Boston police used excessive force against Woodman. An FBI spokeswoman said Monday that the agency's investigation will not begin until Suffolk County prosecutors have finished their own probe into the death. Spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz says it is not unusual for the FBI to review possible civil rights violations, which can include the use of excessive force by police.
MassLive.com  –  Jul 9, 2008 7:15 PM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Local: Massachusetts: Springfield

Racist letters among FBI sports files
BOSTON, July 8 (UPI) -- A racist death threat against Boston Celtics coaching legend Red Auerbach is among the recently released FBI files related to New England sports figures.
United Press International  –  Jul 8, 2008 5:15 PM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports

FBI to probe Boston police conduct in Southwick man's death
David Woodman was arrested during Boston Celtics championship celebrations and stopped breathing while in police custody.BOSTON (AP) - The FBI will investigate whether Boston police used excessive force while arresting a man who later stopped breathing during Celtics championship celebrations. David Woodman, 22, of Southwick and Brookline stopped breathing while in custody and died 11 days after police say they spotted him drinking from an open container of what they believed was alcohol. An FBI spokeswoman said Monday that the agency's investigation will not begin until Suffolk County prosecutors have finished their own probe into Woodman's death. Spokeswoman Gail Marcinkiewicz says it is not unusual for the FBI to review possible civil rights violations, which can include the use of excessive force by police. The probe was welcomed by Woodman's parents lawyer. Police have denied the use of excessive force.
MassLive.com  –  Jul 8, 2008 3:31 PM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Local: Massachusetts: Springfield

Use the Celtics Team Approach in IT
The Ubuntu philosophy can create champions on and off the basketball court. - After a 22-year drought, the Boston Celtics are the NBA champions for the 17th time. The once-mighty team went through a long stretch of poor coaching and management, questionable draft choices and free-agent signings, and plain bad luck before assembling a winning team for the 2007-08 season.How ...
eWEEK.com  –  Jun 23, 2008 2:02 PM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Business: Retail

After Drought, It's Green Again
BOSTON, June 17 -- In the 22 years since the Boston Celtics last won the NBA championship, they've had to deal with the deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis, Larry Bird's creaky back, Kevin McHale's ankle, losing the Tim Duncan draft lottery, the failed Rick Pitino regime, and so on. It was a torr...
Washington Post  –  Jun 18, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports: Basketball

A Franchise Pantheon Opens Long-Closed Doors
BOSTON After 22 years of gentle sleep, the Boston Celtics became giants again here Tuesday night. They did the single thing the Celtics have done better than any basketball team in the history of the sport: win another championship. And they got this one by doing what they love to do more than an...
Washington Post  –  Jun 18, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports: Basketball

Celtics Coach Proves He Is No Quack
LOS ANGELES, June 14 -- The day before the Boston Celtics embarked on a trip across the Atlantic Ocean for training camp in Rome, Coach Doc Rivers wanted Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to start thinking about the Charles River in June. Rivers called his three all-stars and told them to ...
Washington Post  –  Jun 15, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports: Basketball

Stern Says Allegations 'Not True'
Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who won two of his five NBA championships against the Boston Celtics, loves that this rivalry is renewed after 21 years.
Washington Post  –  Jun 13, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports: Basketball

There's No Place Like Home
LOS ANGELES, June 10 -- The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics had little time to rest and prepare for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday, with a six-hour plane ride from Boston to Los Angeles followed by just one day off. And for more than three quarters, it seemed Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen...
Washington Post  –  Jun 11, 2008 06:35 AM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports: Basketball

Sidelined Bynum Looks Toward Lakers' Future
BOSTON, June 7 -- Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum hadn't been born the last time the Lakers and Boston Celtics met in the NBA Finals in 1987, but the 20-year-old's hair is already peppered with some gray. He emphasized on Saturday that it was not from the strain of being forced to miss thi...
Washington Post  –  Jun 8, 2008 04:00 AM [GMT]  ¦  comment?
found in Sports: Basketball