USBL expansion heads east to Delaware
Published on January 18, 2007 under United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release
Milford, CT "" (January 18, 2007) The United States Basketball League (USBL) announced today that it has awarded a franchise to Wilmington, Delaware. New team officials spoke candidly about the future of the newly named Delaware Stars and the City of Wilmington at a press conference from the lobby of the Wilmington Mayor's office this morning.
Richmond Group International, LLC will own the expansion team. They will also partner with a non-profit organization, I Am Focused, to help manage the team and create community and youth outreach programs in the Wilmington area. The two groups will work together under the direction of new Delaware Stars General Manager, Tim Hagins.
Hagins has been a General Manager in the ABA and has worked with "I Am Focused" for several years. He believes the team will be a great asset in assisting I Am Focused's objective to bring diversity together to provide positive role models for today's youth. He also thinks the USBL's mission of being the "League of Opportunity" aligns greatly with the goals and objectives of the non-profit organization, creating a sound partnership that will benefit the Wilmington community and USBL.
"I am excited to be part of the growth of the USBL and Wilmington," said Hagins, "I look forward to making the Delaware Stars franchise a success in the community and on the court."
Delaware will play in the USBL's Eastern Division starting with the 2007 season, which begins in April. The Stars will call Delaware Technical and Community College's Stanton/Wilmington campus their home court.
"We will play our home games at Del Tech [Delaware Technical and Community College]. The College has welcomed us with open arms and wants to be a part of the Stars' success," stated Joe Richmond who will serve as the team's Vice President of Basketball Operations.
Delaware also appointed Mike Richmond to be Head Coach of the team. Richmond was a former draft pick of the Dallas Mavericks in 1987 and has fourteen years of professional playing experience, including one season with the USBL's Philadelphia Aces in 1990. Former NBA first round pick, Dallas Comegys, will be Richmond's assistant. Comegys also has a wealth of playing experience in the United States and overseas. Dallas' playing career also includes 52 games in the USBL, most coming with the Philadelphia Spirit during the 1991 and 1992 seasons.
After retiring as a player in 2002, Richmond took up coaching in the Eastern Basketball Alliance (EBA) with the Delaware Destroyers. His other coaching experience includes time with the African national team of Gambia and the ABA.
"Delaware is a great market for professional basketball," said Stars coach Mike Richmond, "We have a tremendous opportunity to play in the United States Basketball League and provide the people of Wilmington with affordable and quality entertainment."
Al Clocker, the coach of the NEPA Breakers last season, will round out the Delaware staff as the team's Director of Player Personnel. Clocker's familiarity with the league, players and coaches will be a valuable asset to the Stars' inaugural season on the court.
"We are very pleased to have Delaware in the USBL. They are an extremely professional group of gentlemen that know how to operate a winning franchise on and off the court," stated USBL Director of Operations Ed Krinsky. When asked about the upcoming 2007 season he added, "We have added teams with stronger ownership to comprise two very strong divisions for 2007. We are in the process of finalizing the teams and schedule in the coming weeks."
United States Basketball League Stories from January 18, 2007
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