By Tom Rowe

Sun Contributing Writer

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today Norwich Sports Hall of Fame profile on Bobby Lazor is the third in a series of six articles on this year’s induction class. This year’s banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at Canasawacta Country Club.

Although 15 years removed from Bobby Lazor’s birth in 1976 and Ricky Nelson’s top-selling single ‘Travelin’ Man’ in 1961, there are similarities between Lazor’s life and that of Nelson’s protagonist, known for his sojourning ways. As the opening line to Nelson’s ditty notes, “I’m a travelin’ man, made a lot of stops all over the world….” That, in essence, could be Lazor’s anthem, too. But while Nelson’s wayfaring hero of song was winning the hearts of girls to and fro, Lazor was dazzling basketball aficionados on three continents – Asia, Europe and North America.

Born in Phoenix, Bobby was four years old when his family moved to Norwich in 1980. Norwich would continue to be their home for the next 14 years, until Bobby matriculated at Syracuse University, while his family relocated to Cincinnati. After two years at Syracuse, Lazor transferred to Arizona State University in Tempe, while his family picked up roots again and headed to Rio Verde, just northeast of Scottsdale.