- Rockford Lightning
CBA team
color1 = #F0DC99
color2 = #082567
pixels = 150px
founded = 1978
league = IBL2000 -2001
CBA1978 -2000 2001 -2006
history = Lancaster Red Roses1978 -1980
Philadelphia Kings1980 -1981
Lancaster Lightning1981 -1985
Baltimore Lightning1985 -1986
Rockford Lightning1986 -2006
arena =Rockford MetroCentre
city = Rockford, Illinois
colors = Navy Blue, Gold, Light Blue
owner =
coach = Chris Daleo
championships =
titles = 5 (2003 ,2002 ,2000 ,1996 ,1993 )
cheerleaders = Rockford Lightning Girls
dancers = Lightning Boltz
mascot = Freddy FlashThe Rockford Lightning are a
basketball team that played in theContinental Basketball Association . They were based inRockford, Illinois . The Lightning were the oldest team in the CBA, originally existing as the Lancaster Red Roses fromLancaster, 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 theSioux Falls Skyforce three games to one. On January 20th, 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 is currently the head coach of the
Minot SkyRockets .Return of the Lightning
There have been rumors of the Lightning making a return to Rockford, but no official reports have been made. When the Lightning ceased operations in 2006, the franchise was not turning a profit due to a lack of attendance, not appealing to any investors looking to buy the team. This makes it seem unlikely that the team will return any time soon.
NBA call ups from the Rockford Lightning
*
Bruce Bowen
*Earl Boykins
* Chris Childs
*Howard Eisley
*Desmond Ferguson
*Mike James
*Linton Johnson
*Darrell Walker (coach)
* Roger Powell
*Sam Mack
*Pete Myers
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