Manchester Millrats Issue Apology
January 14, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Saint John Riptide News Release
Manchester, New Hampshire: The Manchester Millrats extend their apologies to the Vermont organization, fans, and to the viewers of the PlayOn! Sports broadcast, for our role in the incidents that took place during the January 12th game in Burlington, Vermont.
Our organization does not condone fighting or retaliation of any kind, regardless of the provocation(s) that occured.
There have been those who have been very critical of our whole team, and our management, and monikers like "thugs" that have been thrown around recklessly and bitterly. We would like to point out that January 12th was the first fight or even altercation that our team has been involved in this season. Fights have, and will, occur even in great leagues like the NBA. The organization is trying to do everything within it's power to prevent future altercations.
We have taken swift and stern action to ensure that these types of incidents do not occur in the future, the specific actions are:
*Ife Anosike (#31), who was suspended by the Millrats indefinitely, and by the League for ten games, has been dismissed from the team.
*Ismael Caro (#11), who was suspended by the League for three games, asked for, and was given a release from the team.
*The Millrats have implemented a fine system for our players and coaches that, among other minor penalties, imposes a $500.00 fine on any player who is ejected from a game as a result of a physical altercation.
We understand that the League has suspended Vermont's Dwayne Lee for one game for his role in the second incident. We would hope that both organizations would take this opportunity to talk to their respective players and coaches, and issue a crystal clear mandate that cheap shots, taunting, and provocations are unacceptable. It is good, clean, hard fought basketball that we should both be aiming for.
We hope that the fans in Vermont, Manchester, and at large will continue to support the Frost Heaves and the Millrats as they bring fast paced, exciting basketball to these New England communities. And we look forward to moving on and completing the remainder of our season as we both vie for the ABA Championship.
Sincerely,
The Manchester Millrats Management
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 January 14, 2008
- The State of the ABA - OSC Original by Chris Munson
- Vermont's Lee Suspended For One Game - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Manchester Millrats Issue Apology - Saint John Riptide
- ABA suspends three for altercations in Vermont - ABA
- Ask the CEO - ABA
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Rainmen Make Roster Changes - Halifax Rainmen
- Millrats 0-2 On Road Trip - Saint John Riptide
- Vermont Frost Heaves Take Over #1 Spot In Power Rankings - ABA
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.
