La Crosse Catbirds
The La Crosse Catbirds was an American basketball team based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and member of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).[2] The Catbirds were the 1990 and 1992 CBA champions. The team moved to La Crosse from Louisville in 1985, and left La Crosse for Pittsburgh in May 1994.[1] La Crosse would see the CBA return in 1995 when the La Crosse Bobcats took to the court.
| La Crosse Catbirds | |
|---|---|
| League | CBA 1990–2008 |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Folded | 1995 |
| History | Louisville Catbirds 1983–1985 La Crosse Catbirds 1985–1994 Pittsburgh Piranhas 1994–1995 |
| Arena | La Crosse Center |
| Location | La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States |
| Head coach | Flip Saunders[1] |
| Championships | 2 (1990, 1992) |
Widely known as the training ground for future NBA coach Flip Saunders, who led the team to both championships.[3]
Several future and previous NBA players played for the Catbirds, including Andre Turner, David Rivers, Mark Davis, Derrick Gervin, Elliot Perry, Jaren Jackson, Kevin Lynch, Dennis Nutt and Kenny Battle.
Season By Season
| Season | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Postseason Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse Catbirds | ||||||
| 1985–86 | Western | 4th | 24 | 24 | .500 | Won Division Semifinals (Detroit) 4-3 Won Division Finals (Cincinnati) 4-2 Lost Championship Series (Tampa Bay) 4-1 |
| 1986–87 | Western | 1st | 28 | 20 | .583 | Lost Division Semifinals (Rockford) 4-3 |
| 1987–88 | Western | 1st | 40 | 14 | .741 | Lost Division Semifinals (Wyoming) 4-2 |
| 1988–89 | Western | 5th | 19 | 35 | .352 | |
| 1989–90 | Central | 1st | 42 | 14 | .750 | Won Conference Semifinals (Quad City) 3-0 Won Conference Finals (Albany) 4-3 Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-1 |
| 1990–91 | Central | 2nd | 32 | 24 | .571 | Lost Conference First Round (Quad City) 3-2 |
| 1991–92 | Midwest | 2nd | 40 | 16 | .714 | Won Conference Second Round (Grand Rapids) 3-1 Won Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-2 Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-3 |
| 1992–93 | Mideast | 3rd | 32 | 24 | .571 | Lost Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-2 |
| 1993–94 | Mideast | 1st | 35 | 21 | .625 | Won Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-0 Lost Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-0 |
| Regular season total | 292 | 192 | .603 | 1985–1994 | ||
| Playoffs total | 42 | 36 | .538 | 1985–1994 | ||
Notable players
References
- "La Crosse Catbirds". Archived from the original on 2016-05-15. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
- Bradley, Robert. "History of the Continental Basketball Association". www.apbr.org. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- "Flip Saunders". NBA. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
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