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Gallup, New Mexico added to list of 2005 expansion teams

December 8, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. Joe Newman, ABA co-founder, today announced that Gallup, New Mexico has been added to the rapidly-growing professional basketball league for 2005. According to Newman, "This is a very unusual and unique group - with some remarkable ideas - and we are thrilled to have them as part of the ABA."

The team will be owned by Joseph J. Kolb, Editor and Publisher of The Gallup Herald Newspaper (News that Matters to You). In Kolb's words, "Gallup has long been known for its connection with the "Mother Road - Route 66," a world renown balloon rally, rodeos, and pow wows. Because of its proximity to the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni Reservations, Gallup is affectionately called the "Indian Capital of the World." A rich heritage of Native American commerce, culture, art and jewelry has made Gallup known around the world." He continued, "It is only fitting that Gallup's ABA basketball team will be the only predominately Native American professional sports in the league with no less than 50% of the team comprised of players of Native American heritage complemented with former collegiate, NBA and other professional players. The Gallup team will be an exciting and unique blending of basketball talent and skills."

The team will be planning a full press conference in early January to unfold many of its plans. It will be announced on the ABA website.

Mr. Kolb is a New Yorker who moved to Gallup in 1997; his wife Rachael was a member of the first girl's basketball team from Gallup HS to ever play in the NM State Basketball Tournament. Before becoming a publisher, Kolb was an athletic trainer for 22 years and in 2003 published a book, "Get Fit for High School Basketball." His second book, "Reservation Dreams" is scheduled for release shortly.

For more information, contact Joe Kolb at 505 726 8330 or email ghsat@hotmail.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.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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