Chicago Blaze Look to Catch Fire with New Head Coach
March 4, 2004 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Chicago Blaze News Release
Naperville, IL - The Chicago Blaze (6-7) today announced that Coach Curtis Oden will take over head coaching duties effectively immediately. Oden, who coached the Birmingham Power in 2002 and 2003, guided the Power to a 24-17 mark during his tenure. Oden will replace Cheryl Littlejohn.
Blaze General Manager Robert Graham remarked, "The team is at a cross-roads right now. The league is wide open and we felt that we needed to go in a different direction. We are hopeful that Coach Oden can provide the spark that the team needs to get them over the hump. We thank Coach Littlejohn for her commitment to our organization and we wish her the best in her future endeavors."
The Blaze have a busy 5 days ahead of them as they travel to Houston, Birmingham and Dallas. On Saturday night the Blaze will take on the two-time NWBL Champion Houston Stealth who are led by Olympian Tina Thompson and Tamicha Jackson (WNBA Houston Comets). Houston is currently in second place in the NWBL.
On Sunday the Blaze will travel to Birmingham to take on the Alisa Burras and the Power. The Power are currently in 5th place. The Blaze will end this road trip Tuesday night when they take on Sheryl Swoops and the Dallas Fury in Dallas.
The Chicago Blaze is in its third season in the NWBL. The Blaze will play a 22-game schedule through March 23 and will play its home games at Merner Fieldhouse located at North Central College in Naperville, IL.
The National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) showcases professional women basketball players from across the nation, including players from the WNBA who choose to stay in the U.S. to play during the off-season. The season is played from January through April and the teams include the Birmingham Power, CHICAGO BLAZE, Colorado Chill, Dallas Fury, Houston Stealth, and Springfield Spirit. For more information on the NWBL and the Chicago Blaze, visit www.nwbl.com/blaze.
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National Women's Basketball League Stories from March 4, 2004
- Chicago Blaze Look to Catch Fire with New Head Coach - Chicago Blaze
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