Resilience out of Ruins: The Healing Court Takes Shape in a Centuries-Old Italian City

At first glance, it looks like a standard outdoor basketball court, immaculately lined on a clay-colored, weather-proof surface. But this court arises from the scenic greenery of an ancient town in central Italy, Norcia, in the shadows of the Apennine Mountains. And it tells a unique story – about resilience in the wake of trauma and healing in the face of heartache.

In fact, its name is “The Healing Court” – a project made possible when community leaders, the Harvard Mental Health Trauma Recovery Program, the National Italian Foundation (NIAF) and NBA Cares joined forces. I was honored to be a part of it and see the magic of this court take shape out of a national tragedy.

In August 2016, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake – Italy’s strongest in decades – struck the region, killing 300 people. Ongoing earthquakes and tremors were felt for months, as far as Rome, more than 100 miles away.

Norcia is the home of St. Benedict and the town center is the site the medieval basilica in his name, which was destroyed along with so many other structures. In the aftermath, conversations took place on where to relocate Norcia’s students to other area schools. But the school’s long-serving principal, Rosella Tonti, offered  powerful words: “Without children, there is no town.”

Dr. Richard Mollica, Director of Harvard Global Mental Health Trauma Recovery (HGMHTR) programs, provided counselors, and with the National Italian American Foundation's support, portable classrooms were created. In the years that followed, the school was rebuilt. And in 2019, while I was a student in the Harvard trauma program, we met with Norcia Community leaders and Principal Tonti in Orvieto, Italy.

I was part of a contingent visiting Norcia with Dr. Mollica in 2022. We saw the town's restoration in action. We visited an outdoor sports area that was destroyed, and the vision for a basketball court was born. A “Healing Court” began to take shape, where all ages could play the game that for so many is much more than a game – it is therapy.

That was the case for me so many years ago, after a long-term undercover assignment during my time as a New Jersey State Trooper. I became another person for nearly three years of my life, infiltrating Mafia Crime families. And while it was successful in disrupting organized crime, the operation took a personal toll on me in the form of PTSD.

The game of my youth and college days became my therapy and while I could no longer play, I began to referee. That journey led to a 25-year career as an NBA Referee and five years in management as Vice President/Director of Officials. I now have an NBA Cares Ambassador title and, on Nov. 4, 2025, that title brought me back to Norcia for the grand opening of The Healing Court.

It was there that the National Italian American Foundation, HGMHTR, and NBA Cares joined forces to make the vision a reality. Mayor Giuliano Boccanera, Mr. Giampiero Rosati (instrumental in overseeing and making the project a success), Ms. Tonti, Dr. Mollica, Dr. Illario Salvatori, Benedictine Monks, members of the Carabinieri and local police departments, and I participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and even refereed a game among students.

The event recalled words from Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, a day after the earthquake: “We are going through a really tough period. We must not allow the profound pain, fatigue and stress that we have now turn into resignation.”

A woman shared an uplifting thought with me that day. She said that the opening of St. Benedict's Church in the town center and the new basketball court have made her feel like “Norcia is alive again.”

The teamwork and commitment to support people—long after the initial traumatic event that shook their lives—is on full display in the little city with roots back to the beginning of civilization itself. An earthquake nearly destroyed it a decade ago. But this age-old town would not allow for resignation—only resilience, a story of hope in a tumultuous world, symbolized today by a very special home for basketball ... The Healing Court.

For a short video of the event, click here.

Bob Delaney’s life story has been told in his books and on HBO, CNN, ESPN, and numerous other TV, radio, and print media. Delaney presents worldwide on leadership, resiliency, self-care, trauma awareness, and is the SEC Special Advisor for Officiating Development/Performance.