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CBA veteran named Storm's leader

September 14, 2004 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Great Lakes Storm News Release


Birch Run, MI (September 14, 2004) – The Great Lakes Storm announced today that Russ Bergman will take the reins as Head Coach of the franchise, which is entering its third season in the Continental Basketball Association. Bergman, a five-year coaching veteran of the CBA, makes his return to the league after having last coached for the Idaho Stampede during the 1999-2000 season.

"I am extremely excited to be back on a CBA bench with the Great Lakes Storm," stated Coach Bergman, who led the Oklahoma City Cavalry to a CBA Title during the 1996-97 season. "I have aspirations of having a winning season and getting this franchise into the playoffs for the first time in its young history. I also hope to help some of my players reach their ultimate dream of making it to the NBA."

Bergman joins the Storm with an impressive resume that includes success in the college ranks, as well as the CBA. During 19 seasons as the Head Coach at Coastal Carolina, he compiled a record of 306-246 (.554), and is ranked second on the Big South Conference's All-Time Wins list with a record of 149-112 (in eight years after moving from NAIA to NCAA Division I). He also earned Big South Coach of the Year honors on three different occasions, and twice led the Chanticleers to the NCAA Tournament (1991 and 1993).

In 1994 Bergman left Coastal Carolina to become the head coach of the CBA's Oklahoma City Cavalry. In three seasons with Oklahoma City, Bergman took the Cavalry to the CBA playoffs all three years, reaching the conference finals in 1995 and capturing the CBA Championship in 1997 (after defeating the Florida Beachdogs in six games). Bergman was named head coach for the National Conference All-Stars in 1996 and led the team to a 121-106 win over the American Conference All-Stars.

Bergman later took over as Head Coach and Director of Basketball Operations for the Idaho Stampede prior to the 1998-99 season. He led the Stampede to the playoffs in his first season with the franchise, while also helping his players combine for a record 10 CBA-to-NBA call-ups during the 98-99 campaign.

In September of 2000, Bergman accepted a job with the Utah Jazz as an advance and talent scout, where he was in charge of scouting players in the southeastern part of the United States.

He currently ranks 15th on the CBA's All-Time Coaches Winning Percentage list at .532 (133-117), while he also ranks 15th in CBA Playoff victories (17), and 13th in Playoff Winning Percentage (.515). A total of 25 CBA players have been called up to the NBA under his direction.

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