From the Bench: Time Jerry West Helped the Celtics Win a Title and a Bridgeport Businessman Led Way
By Jeff Toquinto on June 23, 2024 from Sports Blog
In Robert "Bobby" Martino's 50-plus years on this earth, he can fondly remember so many big days. The graduation from Washington Irving High School back in 1983, graduating from West Virginia University in 1990, getting married, the birth of each one of his four children and becoming part of an extraordinarily successful business with roots right here in Bridgeport.
Most of you know him as Dr. Robert Martino, DDS. He is one of the key players in the Wilson Martino Dental Offices that have seven 
locations across the state with roughly 110 people working for him. That, too, is something he's extremely proud to have associated with his name.
locations across the state with roughly 110 people working for him. That, too, is something he's extremely proud to have associated with his name.
"Life is about moments because you don't think about the daily grind when you talk about the past," said Martino.
Count a weekend in June of 2008 as one of those moments for Martino and several co-workers of the Wilson-Martino staff. Martino joined Bridgeport resident Byron Wilfong, Bridgeport High School graduate Adam Fowler, former Bridgeport location worker Pat Cobb and Ed Linger of Weston at the inaugural Bob Huggins Fantasy Basketball Camp in Morgantown that year. They were among 28 campers who took part in the camp..jpg)
There was someone at the camp that made being there truly relevant in today’s timeline to rewind to 16 years ago. One of the individuals helping with the camp was Jerry West, who as most know passed earlier this month at the age of 86.
We will return to West shortly. First, we will look at Martino’s decision to go to the camp that, in hindsight – and particularly in light of West’s passing – he admits is one of the best decisions of his life.
The kicker was that Martino, a diehard WVU and basketball fan, wasn't initially going to plunk down the few thousands of dollars needed for him to attend.
Instead, the idea came to fruition thanks to some prodding from his wife and sports junkie Lori. With her nudge Bobby and fellow staff members were at the camp.
"My wife (Lori) made me go because we go to all of the games. She told me it was a once in a lifetime thing ... When I got home, I was quick to thank her for twisting my arm," said Martino.
Before I go any further, allow me to 
explain why Huggins' camp was a fantasy camp. Along with doing drills and getting to hang out with the staff assembled for the camp, the camp included a team tournament and Martino and his staff competed as a unit.
explain why Huggins' camp was a fantasy camp. Along with doing drills and getting to hang out with the staff assembled for the camp, the camp included a team tournament and Martino and his staff competed as a unit.
That unit, dubbed the Celtics by the way, won the entire tournament, never once losing a game. Did I mention Martino’s team was coached by the aforementioned Jerry West?
"You look up in the huddle with these then 40-something year-old guys you play pick up ball with and there's Jerry West telling you what to do. I mean, can you get any more surreal than that," said Martino.
What was most impressive about West, said Martino, was just how serious he took the team tournament. West, who was assisted by
Warren Baker and the late Billy Hahn, used a 15-minute practice to put in an offense.
Warren Baker and the late Billy Hahn, used a 15-minute practice to put in an offense.
"Shoot, pass, screen away was what he told us, and he said we needed to do that," said Martino. "Once we start playing, I think I can take this guy off the dribble and during the timeout I tell everyone as much. Jerry West looks at me and tells me to just run the offense. Believe me, I ran the offense."
Martino said he wasn't the only one who got a scalding from West in a good-natured manner. Cobb, according to Martino, was chastised for not boxing out.
"When we rode back from the game, Pat's telling me he's upset because he's in Jerry West's doghouse," said Martino. "It's funny thinking 
about that, but Coach West was serious. He told us after we won our first game that we weren't going to lose. You could see the intensity in his face, and he was taking it very seriously."
about that, but Coach West was serious. He told us after we won our first game that we weren't going to lose. You could see the intensity in his face, and he was taking it very seriously."
The serious nature of the games led Martino to think that he was about to hear the greatest pep talk in history before his team's championship game on the particular Sunday back in 2008. It didn't happen.
"I was ready for some sage advice, and he just looked at us and said, 'don't worry, you'll kill these guys.' That was it," said Martino.
That may have been it for the title game, but there was so much more to the camp. The local crew and all the other campers got to hang out with West, the late Hot Rod Hundley, Mike Gansey, Danny Fortson, Hahn, former Assistant Coach Larry Harrison, Will Akers, Kevin Pittsnogle, Maurice Robinson, Baker, and Jamie Smalligan. For three days, it was a Mountaineer fan's dream.
"Believe me, it was worth every penny. It's the most fun I've ever had without my family being involved. To do this with my buddies, guys I work with, made it extra special,” said Martino, who added West was back at the camp next year, but never coached.
Maybe some extra special moments Martino will recall as he gets older will center on the fact Wilfong walked away with the camp's most valuable player honor. Or maybe it will be knowing he helped West with his first coaching championship.
"I was taking a picture between Coach Huggins and Jerry West, and I told him that I helped him get his first coaching title," said Martino. "He looked at me and said, 'Yea, but it was with the Celtics.' I'll remember that moment forever."
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Jerry West addressing members of the Fantasy Camp in 2008, while the second photo - courtesy of WVU Sports Communications and by Brian Persinger - show West at the dedication of the statue outside of the WVU Coliseum. Third photo shows West, back row, third from left, and Martino, second row, third from left, with the winning team. West is shown shown with Martino, third from left, along with Bridgeport's Mark Pinti, left, and Steve Pinti, far right. Bottom photo shows the late Hot Rod Hundley, Bob Huggins, Martino, West, and Willie Akers. All remaining photos are courtesy of Robert "Bobby" Martino.
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