Difference between revisions of "Pensacola Tornados"
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| − | The '''Pensacola Tornados''' are a defunct basketball team that played in the [[Wikipedia:Continental Basketball Association|Continental Basketball Association]] (CBA) from 1985-1991. The CBA | + | The '''Pensacola Tornados''' are a defunct basketball team that played in the [[Wikipedia:Continental Basketball Association|Continental Basketball Association]] (CBA) from 1985-1991. The CBA is the "World's Oldest League," dating its origins back to 1946. The CBA is attributed to several basketball innovations such as the three-point line and the collapsible hinged rim. Eventually, other leagues converted their rims over to the collapsible hinged model, which is still in use today. During the 1980s and 1990s, the NBA's relationship with the CBA grew to developmental status, to the point where dozens of former CBA stars found their way onto NBA rosters. |
The Tornados were actually comprised of two different franchises that moved to Pensacola. | The Tornados were actually comprised of two different franchises that moved to Pensacola. | ||
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==1985-1986 Season== | ==1985-1986 Season== | ||
| − | The first Tornados team began as the LaCrosse Bobcats for a short time in 1983. The team quickly relocated to Toronto and became the Tornados from 1983 through part of the 1985-86 season. Toronto was owned by former NBA owner '''Ted Stepien'''. During the season, the Tornados moved to Pensacola. At the time, the CBA is comprised of 14 teams. During the off-season, | + | The first Tornados team began as the LaCrosse Bobcats for a short time in 1983. The team quickly relocated to Toronto and became the Tornados from 1983 through part of the 1985-86 season. Toronto was owned by former NBA owner '''Ted Stepien'''. During the season, the Tornados moved to Pensacola. At the time, the CBA is comprised of 14 teams. |
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| + | The newly-relocated Tornados' first home game, on January 3, 1986 against the Florida Suncoast Stingers, drew 3,611 to the Pensacola Civic Center, and averaged 1,651 per game for the year. In fact, on January 25, 1986, the Tornados drew 8,417 in a win against the Detroit Spirits, at that time the second-largest crowd to ever attend a CBA contest. | ||
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| + | Guard '''Billy Goodwin''' was the only CBA player to finish in the Top-10 in both scoring and assists that season. '''Ronnie Williams''', a power forward, averaged 23.3 points per game. Despite all this, the Tornados suffered through a 15-33 season. During the off-season, '''Stepien''' moves to Jacksonville, FL and renames the team the Jets. It was a turbulent off-season in general in 1986, as the CBA shrunk to 12 teams. This franchise would move three more times before folding in 1996. | ||
==1986-1987 Season== | ==1986-1987 Season== | ||
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==1987-1988 Season== | ==1987-1988 Season== | ||
| − | Power Forward '''Norris Coleman''' signs with the Tornados after playing one year with the NBA [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Clippers|Los Angeles Clippers]]. Coleman was a second-round draft pick (38th overall) of the Clippers after being named to the Big-8 All-Conference team while at Kansas State. New owner '''Eli Jacobson''' has high hopes for the Tornados. | + | Power Forward '''Norris Coleman''', 6'-8", 210 lbs., signs with the Tornados after playing one year with the NBA [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Clippers|Los Angeles Clippers]]. Coleman was a second-round draft pick (38th overall) of the Clippers after being named to the Big-8 All-Conference team while at Kansas State. New owner '''Eli Jacobson''' has high hopes for the Tornados. |
==1988-1989 Season== | ==1988-1989 Season== | ||
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==1990-1991 Season== | ==1990-1991 Season== | ||
| − | + | In March 1991 officials from the Tornados were looking at Knoxville, TN for possible location. | |
The franchise would relocate two more times before folding in 1995. | The franchise would relocate two more times before folding in 1995. | ||
Revision as of 02:09, 18 July 2009
The Pensacola Tornados are a defunct basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) from 1985-1991. The CBA is the "World's Oldest League," dating its origins back to 1946. The CBA is attributed to several basketball innovations such as the three-point line and the collapsible hinged rim. Eventually, other leagues converted their rims over to the collapsible hinged model, which is still in use today. During the 1980s and 1990s, the NBA's relationship with the CBA grew to developmental status, to the point where dozens of former CBA stars found their way onto NBA rosters.
The Tornados were actually comprised of two different franchises that moved to Pensacola.
Contents
1985-1986 Season
The first Tornados team began as the LaCrosse Bobcats for a short time in 1983. The team quickly relocated to Toronto and became the Tornados from 1983 through part of the 1985-86 season. Toronto was owned by former NBA owner Ted Stepien. During the season, the Tornados moved to Pensacola. At the time, the CBA is comprised of 14 teams.
The newly-relocated Tornados' first home game, on January 3, 1986 against the Florida Suncoast Stingers, drew 3,611 to the Pensacola Civic Center, and averaged 1,651 per game for the year. In fact, on January 25, 1986, the Tornados drew 8,417 in a win against the Detroit Spirits, at that time the second-largest crowd to ever attend a CBA contest.
Guard Billy Goodwin was the only CBA player to finish in the Top-10 in both scoring and assists that season. Ronnie Williams, a power forward, averaged 23.3 points per game. Despite all this, the Tornados suffered through a 15-33 season. During the off-season, Stepien moves to Jacksonville, FL and renames the team the Jets. It was a turbulent off-season in general in 1986, as the CBA shrunk to 12 teams. This franchise would move three more times before folding in 1996.
1986-1987 Season
The Bay State Bombardiers move to Pensacola to become the second version of the Tornados. This version began in 1978 as the Harrisburg Hammerheads, then the Maine Lumberjacks, on to Bay State before arriving in Pensacola.
1987-1988 Season
Power Forward Norris Coleman, 6'-8", 210 lbs., signs with the Tornados after playing one year with the NBA Los Angeles Clippers. Coleman was a second-round draft pick (38th overall) of the Clippers after being named to the Big-8 All-Conference team while at Kansas State. New owner Eli Jacobson has high hopes for the Tornados.
1988-1989 Season
1989-1990 Season
1990-1991 Season
In March 1991 officials from the Tornados were looking at Knoxville, TN for possible location. The franchise would relocate two more times before folding in 1995.
