Daleo Wins CBA Coach of the Month for January

February 1, 2006 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Rockford Lightning News Release


The Continental Basketball Association announced today that Rockford Lightning Head Coach Chris Daleo has been named the League Coach of the Month for the month of January. It marks the fourth time in his career and second time this season that Daleo has been named the Coach of the Month, also earning the honor in November. He earned two Coach of the Month honors in 2002-03 while picking up the CBA Coach of the Year award that same season.

Daleo, who is in his fourth season as the head coach in Rockford, led the Lightning to a 10-2 record during the month of January, averaging 4.8 quarter points in the process. He ended the month on a seven-game winning streak, tying the team's best streak this season. Rockford won their 10 contests in January by an average of more than 11 points, including two 21-point victories and one 19-point decision. The Lightning were 6-0 at home during the month and are currently riding a 12-game home winning streak into tonight's contest with the Idaho Stampede at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Last month, Daleo also coached in his third CBA All-Star Classic in four years on Jan. 17 in Boise, Idaho, heading up the Eastern Conference squad, which featured four Lightning players.

Overall, the Lightning have won 18 of their last 21 contests, helping them to a league-best 23-8 record, 139.5 total quarter points, and a 4.5 quarter-point average. Daleo has the Lightning off to their best start since the 1992-93 season that saw the Lightning go 24-7 on their way to finish 44-12 before losing to the Grand Rapids Hoops in the American Conference Finals.

Daleo recently captured his 100th CBA victory on Jan. 13 at Dakota and currently holds a record of 106-69 (.606 pct.) all-time. That winning percentage places him seventh all-time in the CBA, surpassing coaching legend Mauro Panaggio, and first among Rockford coaches. He is also second in career regular season wins by a head coach since the team's move to Rockford in 1986 (Panaggio is first with 131).

"It's great to win the Coach of the Month award," Daleo said after learning of the honor. "But in reality, players make plays and I have been fortunate enough to have surrounded myself with players who understand and work very hard."

The Lightning will take on the Idaho Stampede tonight at the MetroCentre. Tip-off is set for 7:05 P.M. (CST). With the first 1,000 fans in attendance receiving a Roger Powell trading card. Great seats are still available for the game, and kids tickets are half price. Group tickets can be purchased through the Lightning Office by calling 815-874-4232. Single game tickets can be purchased through the MetroCentre Box Office by calling 815-968-5222 or online at www.centreevents.com.



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