Talons add assistant coach

August 11, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Gallup Outlaws News Release


Gallup, NM. The newest addition to the ABA Gallup Talons professional basketball team that begins play in November is Assistant Coach, Thomas Crum, a former wide receiver for the University of New Mexico and an assistant coach at Portland State.

Crum's latest adventure doesn't involve football, but basketball, training, marketing and building an institution here that will last for years. Basketball has a deep foothold in this whole area of the state and northeastern Arizona, not just in Gallup; an organized, or not, contest that has a social, educational, and almost religious following everywhere you go in the Four Corners area.

Coach Thomas, as he likes to be called, has only been here a short time, but has already firmed up the admission prices for the home games the Talons will play at Gallup Junior High School, and is hard at work nailing down sponsorships, meeting with the media, working out with some of the players who made the first cut, and brainstorming ideas that will conclude in a successful operation.

"Staff, players and myself are working very hard to put together the best team possible," Coach Thomas said in an interview last week. "We are also putting a combined effort into assuring that the Gallup Talons will be an entertaining team to watch and worth much more than the price of the tickets."

"The marketing and sales department is interested in representation from all of the tribal communities in the area, as well as local businesses, churches and individuals who will enjoy the 18-game home season this year."

Thomas has been busy so far this week, with a television appearance on The Gallup Herald Mid-Week Report and on the radio with Millennium Media and Clear Channel. He's also undertaken the job of providing team members as escorts for the Ceremonial Queen candidates, met with Police Chief Sylvester Stanley to solidify an exhibition game between the Gallup Police Department and the Talons and going on a Talon run everyday, starting in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot about 1145am; stopping in at downtown businesses to chat and assess the interest of as many people as he can.

There are also daily workouts at the Fitness Center at 7am and pm, a structured practice for the players every Saturday at 11am and lots of signing autographs for fans that notice the players trotting byh in their Talons tryout shirts.

Two of the major sponsors signed so far are the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital and Coca Cola. "We're excited to have the Gallup Talons here and we join with the community in welcoming them," said Elaine Bobo, the Director of Development at RMCH. Coach Thomas can be reached at 722 2080 or you may come by the offices of The Gallup Herald, 207 South Second. The Talons are also sponsoring closed tryouts this Saturday, August 13th for dancers who would like to become a permanent part of the team during the home games. These tryouts will be held in the gym at Gallup Junior High School from 9am to noon; Kristi Tiley is in charge of recruitment and selection for this prestigious group. For more information, email herald01@cia-g.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 August 11, 2005


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