Express lands second player Harold Swanagan
December 14, 2005 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Elkhart Express News Release
ELKHART, Ind. - Folks who enjoyed watching Notre Dame standout and team leader Harold Swanagan when he played in the Joyce ACC can get another look at him this spring when he plays for Elkhart's new professional basketball team-the Elkhart Express. Swanagan is the No. 2 player to agree to join the Elkhart EXPRESS.
Last week, the EXPRESS announced it had signed point guard Lazarus Sims. The addition of Swanagan gives the EXPRESS a powerful one-two punch. Both men were outstanding college athletes and both have played pro ball, including their stint together on the championship Dodge City Legends in the U.S. Basketball League in 2003.
Swanagan said he is looking forward to reuniting with Sims. "He's my point guard. He's a good talent. I like his game," he said
A 6-foot-7 power forward, Swanagan played in 127 games while at Notre Dame between 1998 and 2002, the fourth highest game total in school history. In 2001-02, Swanagan was tri-captain of the team and helped the Irish achieve a second consecutive NCAA Tournament second-round appearance while averaging 8.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He also was named to the Big East Academic All-Star Team.
"He'll bring toughness; he'll bring leadership; and he'll bring a winning attitude to the Elkhart EXPRESS," said Daimon Beathea, president and head coach of the EXPRESS.
Swanagan earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Notre Dame and then played professionally in Europe and the U.S. He returned to Notre Dame in May 2004 to work with the strength and conditioning program. Swanagan presently is coordinator of student welfare and development at Notre Dame, a position he assumed this past summer. Swanagan said he will keep his Notre Dame position, but the offer from Beathea gives him a chance to return to the game he loves. He said he is looking forward to helping Beathea turn the EXPRESS into a championship team as well as having another chance to play for Michiana fans.
The Elkhart EXPRESS will play a schedule of 22 games from March 31 to June 30, 2006, including 12 home games at Elkhart's North Side Gym. The league's All-Star Game and Championship Tournament will also be played in Elkhart July 13 to 16.
The IBL favors an up-tempo style of play that has resulted in a league scoring average of 127 points per game. Only one timeout is allowed per 12-minute quarter and the league has an "immediate inbound" rule that allows players to inbound the ball without checking it with the referee. There is also a 22-second shot clock with just eight seconds allowed to cross mid-court.
Season tickets are now available for $110 (adult 18 and older, courtside), $60 (adult 18 and older, lower reserved) and $36 (17 and under, lower reserved). Single game tickets for the same categories are $10, $7 and $4 respectively. People may call 574-522-9911 or write Elkhart EXPRESS, 127 S. Main St., Elkhart, Indiana, 46516 (email: xpress2006@yahoo.com) for tickets or more information.
Media members: find out more about the Elkhart Express, and/or feel free to use any photos or images from the web site www.IBLhoopsOnline.Com.
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International Basketball League Stories from December 14, 2005
- Tacoma Thunder Announce Tryout Dates - Jazz of Tacoma
- Cavalry to host free youth basketball and dance clinics - Aurora Cavalry
- Fact Sheet about the Elkhart Express - Elkhart Express
- Express lands second player Harold Swanagan - Elkhart Express
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