Rockford Lightning
Encyclopedia
The Rockford Lightning were a basketball
team that played in the Continental Basketball Association
. They were based in Rockford, Illinois
. The Lightning were the oldest team in the CBA, originally existing as the Lancaster Red Roses
from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
. That team changed their name to the Lancaster Lightning, then the franchise moved to Baltimore for a year before relocating in Rockford. Their home arena was the MetroCentre
. They were the runners-up in the 2004-05 CBA season, losing the championship series to the Sioux Falls Skyforce
three games to one. On January 20, 2006, the team's owner announced that the Lightning would cease operations after the season unless other investors purchased the team and continued its operations. An attempt was made to constitute a new local ownership group, but it was unsuccessful, and the team folded.
and now currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Rockford RiverHawks
of the Frontier League.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team that played in the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
. They were based in Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
. The Lightning were the oldest team in the CBA, originally existing as the Lancaster Red Roses
Lancaster Red Roses (basketball)
The Lancaster Red Roses were a professional basketball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. From 1946 to 1949 and from 1953 to 1955, they played in the Eastern Professional Basketball League, of which the Red Roses were one of the six original teams. The Red Roses also played briefly as the...
from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
. That team changed their name to the Lancaster Lightning, then the franchise moved to Baltimore for a year before relocating in Rockford. Their home arena was the MetroCentre
Rockford MetroCentre
The BMO Harris Bank Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team...
. They were the runners-up in the 2004-05 CBA season, losing the championship series to the Sioux Falls Skyforce
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Sioux Falls Skyforce is a professional basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. They are based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The team plays at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Skyforce began in the CBA in 1989...
three games to one. On January 20, 2006, the team's owner announced that the Lightning would cease operations after the season unless other investors purchased the team and continued its operations. An attempt was made to constitute a new local ownership group, but it was unsuccessful, and the team folded.
Coach Daleo
The Lightning were coached by Chris Daleo for four years before the team folded in 2006. The Lightning made the playoffs all four years under his command. He was named the 2002-2003 CBA Coach of the Year and led the Lightning to the 2004-2005 CBA Championship series. Daleo was selected as the Eastern Conference CBA All-Star Coach three times in those four years, and became the first rookie coach since 1996 to be named an All-Star Coach. During his last season in Rockford, he reached his 100th career win, and has since compiled an impressive 144-96 regular season win-loss record. He went on to become the coach of the Minot SkyRocketsMinot SkyRockets
The Minot SkyRockets were a team in the Continental Basketball Association. They played their home games at the Minot Municipal Auditorium. The team began play in 2005 as the San Jose Skyrockets of the American Basketball Association. The team had a very successful first season, finishing first...
and now currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Rockford RiverHawks
Rockford RiverHawks
The Rockford RiverHawks are a professional baseball team based in the Rockford, Illinois suburb of Loves Park, in the United States. Currently, the RiverHawks are a member of the Frontier League, which they previously played in from 2002 until 2009. From the 2002 season to 2005, the RiverHawks'...
of the Frontier League.
NBA call ups from the Rockford Lightning
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- Chris ChildsChris Childs (basketball)Chris Childs is a retired American professional basketball player, who played primarily at the guard position....
- Howard EisleyHoward EisleyHoward Jonathan Eisley is a retired American professional basketball point guard and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association . Born in Detroit, Eisley played college basketball at Boston College and was drafted in 1994 by the Minnesota Timberwolves...
- Desmond FergusonDesmond FergusonDesmond Ferguson is an American professional basketball player currently with the Halifax Rainmen of the PBL...
- Mike JamesMike JamesMichael Lamont James is an American professional basketball player.-Early years:The youngest of seven siblings, James's childhood was not without challenges. Crime, drugs, and violence troubled his neighborhood streets. Lack of social and economic opportunity made urban living grueling and...
- Linton JohnsonLinton JohnsonLinton Johnson III is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing in Italy for Air Avellino....
- Darrell WalkerDarrell WalkerDarrell Walker is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. At 6'4" and 180 lb , he played as a guard...
(coach) - Roger PowellRoger Powell (basketball)Roger Powell Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played collegiately at the University of Illinois from 2001–2005, after having attended Joliet High School, with a 2001 graduation. Powell played the forward position for his high school and in college...
- Sam MackSam MackSam Mack is a retired American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA.The 6'7" shooting guard from Iowa State University, Tyler Junior College and the University of Houston played with five different NBA teams over a 10-year span...
- Pete MyersPete MyersPeter E. Myers is an American former professional basketball player and an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors.-NBA career:Myers played in the NBA from 1986 to 1991 and also from 1994 to 1998...
- Jamario MoonJamario MoonJamario Raman Moon is an American professional basketball player. Moon played college basketball for one season at Meridian Community College and began his professional career with teams in the United States Basketball League and NBA Development League, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Mexican...
- Matt SteigengaMatt SteigengaMatthew "Matt" Todd Steigenga is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6'7", 220-40 lbs...