New Group, Same Exciting Style For Season 3 - East Kentucky Miners
July 17, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Baltimore Metros News Release
Pikeville, KY. For two years, basketball fans in Eastern Kentucky have been treated to professional hoops on a high level as the East Kentucky Miners established more than one record during a successful run in the CBA. Now, Eastern Kentucky fans will have the opportunity to follow the local pro team for a third straight season.
The East Kentucky Miners name and trademark logo have been acquired by the PSE Group, a local group headed by President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Kevin Keathley. The East Kentucky Minors is a new organization with local ties to the area and will begin competing in the American Basketball Association (ABA) during the 2009-2010 season.
The ABA currently includes two other Kentucky-based teams in Owensboro (Kentucky Bisons) and Lexington (Bluegrass Stallions). The Kentucky Bisons are defending ABA champions. "The change to the ABA will be a good one for several reasons," said Keathley. "The biggest is the location of teams. We have five to six teams within four hours of Pikeville which will help in building rivalries and cut the cost of travel significantly. the ABA has several exciting rules that add to the viewing experience. The 3-D Rule is, in my opinion, the most exciting rule in all of sports. The Celebrity 13th Man Rule which allows teams to dress one celebrity every game is another exciting rule. When I coached the Kentucky Colonels, we had former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr dress for a game as well as WWE wrestlers and top-selling recording artists."
"I do want to make it clear that the East Kentucky Miners are in no way associated with Trinity Sports & Entertainment Group which owned the East Kentucky Miners in the CBA," added Keathley. "This is a totally different company that's affiliated with the ABA. I do, however, appreciate Jay Fiedler, former Miami Dolphin quarterback, for giving the trademark name and logo to the PSE Group. On the court, we will stay the same - the most exciting brand of basketball in Eastern Kentucky will continue to be the East Kentucky Miners. The Diamond Girls, our mascot Hard Hat Harry, halftime entertainment, the DJ - there's nothing like it in the Mountains."
ProBasketball News recently named Keathley one of the top 10 coaches not in the NBA. He is a former ABA Coach of the Year. Keathley coached current NBA player Jamario Moon (Miami Heat) during a previous coaching stint in the ABA.
"We are extremely pleased to have Coach Keathley as part of the ABA again," stated Joe Newman, ABA CEO. "Kevin was an integral part of the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA several years ago and we were very impressed with his leadership ability and coaching skills. Owning a professional basketball team is more than putting a good team on the court. The efforts "off the court" are equally important - becoming an important part of the community, impacting youth in schools, churches, YMCA's, Boys & Girls Clubs and other organizations. Kevin has always understood that and whatever leagues in which he has coached, he has made community involvement a priority.
"We are very interested to see the East Kentucky pro team thrive," added Newman. "The business of basketball is vital to the success of any basketball team. You must have sponsors, you must put people in the seats, and you must give your fans a quality product at an affordable price. Kevin is putting together the kind of organization that can maximize the potential of the business. He's done it before and he'll do it again.
East Kentucky is slated to play 30 games this season, 15 home, 15 away. The season runs from December into March and the team will compete in the South Central Division with the Kentucky Bisons, Smoky Mountain Jam, St. Louis Stunners, WV Blazers, Bluegrass Stallions and others. The Miners will play games in and outside of Pikeville and will unveil a new team website and announce its first tryouts shortly. For more information, visit www.ekminers.net or email coachkeathley@yahoo.com or 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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American Basketball Association Stories from July 17, 2009
- Blazers Help Raise Over $150,000 For American Cancer Society - West Virginia Blazers
- New Group, Same Exciting Style For Season 3 - East Kentucky Miners - Baltimore Metros
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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