The La Crosse Catbirds was an American basketball team based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and member of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).[2] The Catbirds were the 1990 and 1992 CBA champions. The team moved to La Crosse from Louisville in 1985, and left La Crosse for Pittsburgh in May 1994.[1] La Crosse would see the CBA return in 1995 when the La Crosse Bobcats took to the court.
| La Crosse Catbirds | |
|---|---|
| League | CBA 1990–2008 |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Folded | 1995 |
| History | Louisville Catbirds 1983–1985 La Crosse Catbirds 1985–1994 Pittsburgh Piranhas 1994–1995 |
| Arena | La Crosse Center |
| Location | La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States |
| Head coach | Flip Saunders[1] |
| Championships | 2 (1990, 1992) |
Widely known as the training ground for future NBA coach Flip Saunders, who led the team to both championships.[3]
Several future and previous NBA players played for the Catbirds, including Andre Turner, David Rivers, Mark Davis, Derrick Gervin, Elliot Perry, Jaren Jackson, Kevin Lynch, Dennis Nutt and Kenny Battle.[citation needed]
Season By Season
edit| Season | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Postseason Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse Catbirds | ||||||
| 1985–86 | Western | 4th | 24 | 24 | .500 | Won Division Semifinals (Detroit) 4-3 Won Division Finals (Cincinnati) 4-2 Lost Championship Series (Tampa Bay) 4-1 |
| 1986–87 | Western | 1st | 28 | 20 | .583 | Lost Division Semifinals (Rockford) 4-3 |
| 1987–88 | Western | 1st | 40 | 14 | .741 | Lost Division Semifinals (Wyoming) 4-2 |
| 1988–89 | Western | 5th | 19 | 35 | .352 | |
| 1989–90 | Central | 1st | 42 | 14 | .750 | Won Conference Semifinals (Quad City) 3-0 Won Conference Finals (Albany) 4-3 Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-1 |
| 1990–91 | Central | 2nd | 32 | 24 | .571 | Lost Conference First Round (Quad City) 3-2 |
| 1991–92 | Midwest | 2nd | 40 | 16 | .714 | Won Conference Second Round (Grand Rapids) 3-1 Won Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-2 Won Championship Series (Rapid City) 4-3 |
| 1992–93 | Mideast | 3rd | 32 | 24 | .571 | Lost Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-2 |
| 1993–94 | Mideast | 1st | 35 | 21 | .625 | Won Conference First Round (Rockford) 3-0 Lost Conference Finals (Quad City) 3-0 |
| Regular season total | 292 | 192 | .603 | 1985–1994 | ||
| Playoffs total | 42 | 36 | .538 | 1985–1994 | ||
Notable players
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "La Crosse Catbirds". Archived from the original on 2016-05-15. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
- ^ Bradley, Robert. "History of the Continental Basketball Association". www.apbr.org. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ "Flip Saunders". NBA. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
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