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Santa Claus arrives early in Buffalo

December 11, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Buffalo Silverbacks News Release


Buffalo, NY. There is new ownership of the ABA Buffalo Rapids - Santa Claus.

According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "The ownership of the Buffalo Rapids professional basketball team was not meeting the new ABA standards and requirements though the team was one of the best coached teams with an outstanding group of players, cheerleaders, staff and management - extraordinary people all. So, Santa Claus stepped in. We couldn't be happier."

Santa added, "The Elves, Donder, Blitzen, Rudolph, Mrs. Claus and others had a chance to attend practices and watch these wonderful players perform and their great staff continue to operate for the past 45 days under extremely difficult circumstances. To us, they showed the type of character that defines the working class of Buffalo - people who always have hope, who always support things - people who exist on a positive attitude - and keep their faith. These Buffalo Rapids are the type of people who get up everyday and keep fighting no matter how tough it gets. As one of the players said to me, "Thanks Santa. There ain't no stopping us now."

"I saw the pain in their faces, but I also saw a resolve," said Santa. Another player said to me, "If we get through this, we will make the playoffs. We've hung through the tough times. That's what jells this team. We want to be a credit to Buffalo, we want to define the character of Buffalo, we want our city to be proud of us."

Santa is busy, but he'll be back in town shortly. So, for more information, call Coach Rich Jacob at 716 903 8053 or email rjacob@buffalorapids.com or visit www.buffalorapids.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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