Frost Heaves fans choose Voigt as head coach
April 13, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Vermont Frost Heaves News Release
Cornwell, VT. Fans of the ABA Vermont Frost Heaves, the Green Mountain State's new pro basketball team, have chosen as the team's coach Will Voigt, who was a three-sport athlete at Cabot (Vt.) High School before embarking on a successful coaching career.
Voigt outpolled Rus Bradburd, who spent 14 seasons as an aide to Don Haskins, the legendary UTEP coach featured in the recent move Glory Road, and New Mexico State coach Lou Hensen. A total of 739 members (61%) of the Frost Heaves' on-line community, the Bump in the Road Club, cast votes over the internet.
Voigt played basketball, soccer and baseball at Cabot High School, the smallest in the state, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1994. Five years later he joined the San Antonio Spurs as video coordinator, before going on to serve as an assistant to Texas coach Rick Barnes and Mike Dunlap, coach of Division II power Metro State of Denver. Since 2003 he has been head coach of Ulriken Eagles of Norway's top professional division, leading them to the playoffs in all three of his seasons.
"I believe that defense wins championships," Voigt said. "I have developed a high pressure defense that will adapt very well to the rules of the ABA. I combine this with an up-tempo motion offense that focuses more on college and international principles such as quick ball movement. Our style of play will be an enjoyable one for fans and players alike. I will always remember playing in 'the Aud' in Barre. I thought, as most Vermont kids would, that the state semi-finals my senior season would be the last time I would walk that storied floor with a basketball team."
Indeed, in high school Voigt also played on the Frost Heaves' other home floor, Memorial Auditorium in Burlington. Voigt will finish up his contract with the Ulriken Eagles over the next several weeks and return to Vermont in late May.
"Part of the team's mission is to bring the New England town meeting to pro sports," said Alexander Wolff, the Frost Heaves' president and general manager. "We couldn't be more pleased with how this first, very consequential fan vote went off, and we'll definitely be putting more team matters to a decision of the Bump in the Road Club. The entire organization congratulates and welcomes Will, and extends its sincerest thanks and best wishes to Rus."
For more information, sign up for tickets, purchase team gear, or join the Bump in the Road Club, go to www.vermontfrostheaves.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.
American Basketball Association Stories from April 13, 2006
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