Bob Dandridge to Coach 2005 Long Island Team

December 7, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


Shirley, LI. Darren J. Cioffi, co-owner of the 2005 ABA Long Island entry into the professional basketball league today announced the signing of former NBA great, Bob Dandridge, as Head Coach. According to Cioffi, "We are so excited to have a person of Bob's background and ability. We couldn't have asked for more. His entire life is one filled with extraordinary achievements and we know that he'll make our team one of the very best in this great league."

In 1969 Bob was the fourth round draft choice of the Milwaukee Bucks and became a starter beside Kareem Abdul Jabbar. In his rookie season, he was named to the NBA All Rookie team while finishing second to Kareem in the balloting for Rookie of the Year.

Playing on two NBA Championship teams, the first in Milwaukee in 1972 and the second in 1978 with the Washington Bullets certainly complimented his five all-star game selections and all defensive team accomplishments. Bob is an inductee in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and was named as one of the Fifty Greatest Athletes from Richmond, Virginia where he attended Maggie L. Walker High School. He went on to Norfolk State College and was an All-American basketball player.

After leaving the NBA as a player, Bob continued his contribution to the NBA by introducing the concept of transition assistance to retiring NBA players which lead to the development of the now NBA Rookie Transition Program.

From 1987 to 1994, he coached basketball at Hampton University and found the time to obtain a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling. Continuing his interest in player development, he was provided the opportunity to develop an agent awareness program through the NBA Player's Association. This program provided college athletes with information that enabled them to make better decision in selecting an agent. Through these experiences, Mr. Dandridge became Director of Player Programs for the NBA Players' Association and served in that position from 1996-1998. Under his direction and collaboration with the NBPA's Summer Basketball Camp was created and became the summer camp to attend by the top 100 high school players in the country.

The Dandridge Group was formed after returning to Norfolk, Virginia to provide life-skill, mentoring, and tutoring to at-risk youth in at-risk communities. Bob's organization for three years has sponsored girl's AAU basketball teams and currently he is coaching one of the teams. He is currently involved in numerous fund raising events for charitable organizations.

For more information, contact Darren J. Cioffi at 603 207 2227 or email dcioffi@cioffibiz.com or visit www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



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