Rockford and Gary

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I wonder what's up with Rockford's recent fascination with Gary? First, Rockford announces a free agent camp just outside of Gary's borders. Then Rockford offers a ticket package for Gary fans, if I am reading the following press release correctly:

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3092774&l_id=25&t_id=139

Things that make me go hmmmmm.

[lightning fan]

That's not all Ken.....just changed our colors to midnight blue and light blue so your Steelheads will be confused when they play us. New logo looks like Steelie. Getting new uniforms(although can't keep up with you guys getting new unis each year, how do you mange that?) Also trying to rename Metrocentre to "Exodus Center" to make note of Steelhead coaches leaving for Rockford. Metrocentre recently renovated seats and now doing concessions. We are buliding a new minor league baseball stadium with sports bar restaurant next to tollway exit. Trying to promote our airport as feeder/relief for Chicago just as Gary is. Our regional mall is not in Rockford city limits. Trying to get a casino in town. Unemployment is probably reaching Gary's level about now so the only thing we probably have over you in Gary besides the Lightning, and Daleo, and Renaldo, is our air is a little cleaner living west of Chicago instead of downwind and no steel mills in area.

Obsessed...no not really...just obsessed with winning.

Speaking of obsessed. I heard the Steelies are after Snap Hunter.

And your mascot, is that a Carp? Ours is a raccoon, a colorfull raccoon. I had sent in ideas the mascot could be Zeus throwing lightning bolts, but that could have been dangerous or expensive throwing foam lightning bolts.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yeah, I knew about the airport and casino correlation thing too. Just didn't want to mention it. :)

Actually, I already know why all the sudden interest in Gary by the Rockford organization (I like to ask questions that I already know the answers to). It is all about payback! Coach Thomas was fired from the Steelheads, now the same Coach Thomas of Rockford is doing everything he can to prove that his firing was a mistake. He even wears his Rockford Lightning hat all over town (Gary), although I'm probably one of the few people that recognizes it as Rockford Lightning headgear.

One question about the Rockford ticket package directed toward Coach Thomas (Gary?) fans though. If he could draw paying customers well enough to justify having his own ticket plan, don't you think Gary would have kept him?

I'm not trying to be a hater. My family knows Coach Thomas and we would attend games when he coached Beckman Middle School's basketball team. However, that question has been rattling around in my head since I read the press release.

...and for the last time. Steelie is a TROUT, not a CARP! :)

[RonnieFan]

man that's a strange fish :lol:

[lightning fan]

Yes, I forgot steelie is a laketrout, he looks like a trout on steroids. Our freddy flash looks like a candy gummy bear and the kids eat him up. They use to be somewhat afraid of stormy's face but love freddie flash. He is an improved version from original orange and yellow one. I wonder if they will try to dye the green on his outfit to midnight blue to match the new colors...

As for the tix plan....not sure who came up with that idea. Could be signs of aggressive marketing under new GM Neville. Would not have cost much to try, and is a good sign front office is thinking outside the (big orange)box. Locals refer to our arena as the big orange box. That is suppose to be changed soon also.

What I would like to see is a hugh fish bowl inside the metrocentre with a steelie lookalike locked inside or floating belly up.....all in good fun Ken. :lol: :lol:

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Obsessed...no not really...just obsessed with winning.

Speaking of obsessed. I heard the Steelies are after Snap Hunter.



Jimmy "Snap" Hunter was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers recently. Expect to see him in a Gary uniform soon.

That's what I call a "fair and balanced" trade-off. Rockford gets Coach Thomas and whatever paying fans he may draw to the Metrocentre and Gary gets Snap Hunter and his high scoring abilities.

Added bonus: Maybe Snap's overall game will improve under the "Gary Style" of play.

[not so fast]

Yeah that Rockford style really destroyed him. Lets see, he was 4th in the league in scoring, at 20 points per game, he shot 50 percent from the field, he shot 82 percent from the free throw line, 35.3 percent from three point and averaged 35 minutes per game. And 4.9 assist a game.

Yep, those numbers for a first year CBA player that no team wanted or would give him a chance (but Rockford) , really is unacceptable. I mean, If he can't be first or second in the league in scoring in his first year, what good was he?

Yep, that gary system really worked wonders for Joe Crispin. Not to mention Galen Young!

[RonnieFan]

The only drawbacks to Snap was that he played suspect defense and didn't always have his head in the game where it should have been. I think he also was a little lost in the offense at times, but hey, this was his first year playing pro ball.

Don't take that as all criticism of him because he logged some great minutes for Rockford!

Can't wait to get down and watch Rockford again. I miss watchin the boys play. Didn't get to as many last year because of work, but this year should be different.

First game for me is that Rockford @ Sioux Falls game... it's only about 3 hours from Minneapolis (my home), so I'll be there for sure!!!!! For anybody that'll be there, see ya there! Hope Coach Daleo is doin well... another year, another good group of kids and another challenge to mesh personalities and skills...

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

NEWS FLASH!!!!

Steelheads sign most of their starting lineup from last season PLUS one starter from the 2003-2004 Rockford Lightning. Rockford on the other hand, holds multiple free agent camps in search of quality talent.

I give the edge to Rockford in this ongoing rivalry. :oops:

This article suggests Rockford will dominate Gary even more because Gary has rights to Lonnie Jones since Lonnie is a former Gary draft pick: :?
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2004/11/01/columnists/al_hamnik/6a6c9723009be7f586256f3f00144363.txt

I should just move to Rockford and be done with it. 8)

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Rockford,
Didn't I say, DON'T BRING THAT WEAK STUFF TO GARY? Gary 123, Rockford 110 and the game wasn't even THAT close. The Run 'n' Gun offense Rockford employs has never worked here. Never.

Okay. I'm done being obnoxious. The new Rockford uniforms are great. Makes them look like they are on the AND1 Tour...sorry, that was a sideways slap. I really liked the Rockford uniforms though. The new Gary uniforms are too long and baggy though. When the shorts extend below the calves, then it is time to rethink your "uni" choice. Has Snap Hunter ever worn a uniform that fit?

For the people on this board that know me when they see me: All those folks standing behind me during the game were my in-laws. A few more were sitting in the red seats on the other side of the court also. Those in-laws not at the Genesis Center were at a birthday party partying. Great bunch of people! They love having a good time, so I'm renting them out this year. Guaranteed to boost attendance at any event. :D

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I think I better get permission to travel to Rockford and attend the December 26th Steelheads vs. Rockford game. I have to find out for myself why Gary can't seem to beat Rockford in Rockford.

I wonder if the Rockford Lightning offer a one game discount for Gary fans. :wink:

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Carson Cunningham stated in a Gary Post-Tribune interview yesterday that he did not intend to return to basketball, however Coach Daleo called him (sorry, I do not have the link).

The Rockford Lightning earlier reported in a news release that Carson showed-up by surprise to a Lightning free agent camp with $150 in hand.

Which version is the truth?

[mzracing76]

HELL, MY SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE ARE STILL BETTER THAN BOTH THOSE TEAMS. WE ARE THE PREMIERE FRANCHISE IN THE CBA.

1996 CBA CHAMPS
Went to the CBA FINALS: 1996, 1998, 1999

BEST COACHES EVER: Kevin McKenna, Flip Saunders, Mo McHone

BEST PLAYERS EVER: Henry James, Tony Harris, Darrick Martin, Ralph Lewis, Tharon Mayes, Ken Redfield, Corey Beck, Stacey King, Bobby Phills, Eric White, Adrian Branch, Michael Young, Stevin Smith, Reggie Fox, Rich King, Troy Hudson, Cedric Hunter, and more....

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

mzracing76,
How many years has it been since Sioux Falls made the play-offs? 8)

Some of your information also seems to be a bit dated. Bellevue doesn't/didn't qualify for the CBA. They are now in the semi-pro ABA. Grand Rapids folded a few seasons back. Now there is a team in the CBA, close to Grand Rapids (in Muskegon), called the Michigan Mayhem. The only CBA expansion team I am aware of is the Albany team.

[mzracing76]

Ken Steelhead, we have been out of the playoffs since 2001, that is only 2 seasons. so waht. we are still the premier franchise of the CBA.

And your wrong, Grand Rapids did not FOLD, they only ceased operations for 1-2 years. They are coming back, they are listed as 'inactive'. and Bellevue willl field a CBA team soon, watch and learn.

I have been around the CBA longer than you know, and have studied this league in and out. Gary has a real good team this year. But SIoux Falls has shown the CBA how to build a first class operation.

i dont want to sound cocky, i aint. But to say that Grand Rapids folded, is not the truth. they will be back. along with other once Great Proud Franchise, Albany Patroons, which one the CBA TITLES in 1984, 1988, and 1999 (as Connecticut).

Dont get into a History War with me, cause you wont win, i know more history of this league than you know. I have read all the CBA Guides and Registers since 1988, and study them daily.

That is why they call me "MR CBA" here in SIoux Falls.

you sound like a good man, but please respect your elders.....Sioux Falls Skyforce, Rockford Lightning, and the Yakima Sunkings. they been here longer than anyother active team.

[Mike]

GIVE YOURSELF A BIG PAT ON THE BACK FOR HAVING SUCH USELESS KNOWLEDGE !

[mzracing76]

THere is a reason why they CBA has been arounf 60 years, thru all the bad financially problems, work stoppages...they are doing something right that they even exist against the NBA, NBDA, and all the other now defunct leagues out there. THe CBA will give in to the NBA. Our Owners are some of the best Owners in the game today. our teams have great suport (most teams average 2500-3500 fans)each game. yes, there are a few out there that average less. but we in general have to go out and work harder than ever to put a product on the floor.

Give Credit where Credit is DUE !!!

MZ

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Now Rockford leads Gary in cheerleader call-ups to the NBA:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3195583

Come on Rockford! Place her photo on your website home page. Don't make us have to dig for it. :P

[Tha Man*]

Ken -

Unfortunately I think Rockford leads the steelheads in alot of things this year including season ticket sales, corporate partnerships and coaches.

[not so fast]

I hear the steelheads are going to hire Rus bergman. Well say goodbye to Gary after this season. Every where he coaches the teams have shut down after he bankrupts them, just look at his history. unless the city of Gary just takes over the team financially altogether.

Theres also a rumor that some Gary players are still owed money from last season.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Huh?!! :shock:

I haven't heard any of that stuff. Sounds like just rumors to me. The facts are that the Steelheads website is back up, some of their front office staff has been re-hired, and the Steelheads recently sent out letters asking fans to renew their season tickets.

[not so fast]

The reason you haven't heard about it ken is because its under the table money, which no one will talk about publicly.

They still have a long way to go to make up for lost time in ticket sales, and coroporate sponsorship.

Also, there were some decenting votes against the steelheads by the council, so everyone in the city government is not that thrilled with the Steelheads. Or maybe they just don't like jewel harris.

[Tha Man*]

Ken -

I have heard the same things that not so fast has heard... Get ready for and intresting season in Gary.