Tough decision for coach
August 24, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Sacramento Heatwave News Release
Fresno, CA. ABA Fresno Heatwave Director of Operations/Head Coach and now former Texas Tycoon's Head Coach Steve Tucker had a very tough decision to make this spring and summer. After an outstanding first season with the Texas Tycoons, Tucker looked at his options and ultimately chose to make a move west to take his new positions with the Fresno Heatwave. Tucker led the Tycoons to a winning and an outstanding first season and into the ABA Playoffs where his Tycoons were upset by the Bellevue Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs. It was a magical season for Tucker personally as well as he was chosen to be co-Head Coach for the West All Star team in the ABA All Star Game in Las Vegas. So after such a good first season, opportunities arose for Tucker and he looked at each one.
There are those who might wonder why and how could a coach leave such an outstanding pro basketball organization and truly one of the top teams in the ABA coming into the 2005-2006 season and Coach Tucker wanted to address this issue head on. "It was a difficult decision to make in regards to leaving the Tycoons, for not only did we have a great team coming back, but I have a veryclose friendship with Tycoons' owner Charles Key. When you have those factors to look at anytime you look to leave, it is a tough choice to make indeed. Yet, I wanted to get into a position where I could have the kind of impact on the entire team in a leadership role that I've been accustomed to in the past, and that ultimately led to me making the decision to leave the Tycoons. Charles and I are good friends and I visited with him about this. He gave me his blessing and support on this and with that, I decided to leave."
Tucker continued, "I could still be in Texas leading the Tycoons if I so chose, but it was evident to me after visiting with Fresno Headwave owners Reggie Davis and Greg Chambers that Fresno was where my talents would be best served for I would be given the reins of leadership for the Fresno Heatwave professional basketball organization now and into the future. That is what I wanted, so it was Fresno where I decided to go. It was just the right choice to make and the best fit for me in every way. I am very excited about working with Reggie and Greg in building the team into one of the premiere operations in the ABA."
For more information, email jigejag7@yahoo.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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- Tough decision for coach - Sacramento Heatwave
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