Rockford Lightning

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Rockford Lightning

Leagues

IBL 2000-2001
CBA 1978-2000 2001-2006

Founded

1978

History

Lancaster Red Roses
1978-1980
Philadelphia Kings
1980-1981
Lancaster Lightning
1981-1985
Baltimore Lightning
1985-1986
Rockford Lightning
1986-2006

Arena

Rockford MetroCentre

Location

Rockford, Illinois

Team colors

Navy Blue, Gold, Light Blue

President

Head coach

Chris Daleo

Championships

Website

None

Uniforms



Home



Away

The Rockford Lightning are a basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association. They were based in Rockford, Illinois. The Lightning were the oldest team in the CBA, originally existing as the Lancaster Red Roses from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. That team changed their name to the Lancaster Lightning, then the franchise moved to Baltimore for a year before relocating in Rockford. Their home arena was the MetroCentre. They were the runners-up in the 2004-05 CBA season, losing the championship series to the Sioux Falls Skyforce three games to one. On January 20th, 2006, the team's owner announced that the Lightning would cease operations after the season unless other investors purchased the team and continued its operations. An attempt was made to constitute a new local ownership group, but it was unsuccessful, and the team folded.

[edit] Coach Daleo

The Lightning were coached by Chris Daleo for four years before the team folded in 2006. The Lightning made the playoffs all four years under his command. He was named the 2002-2003 CBA Coach of the Year and led the Lightning to the 2004-2005 CBA Championship series. Daleo was selected as the Eastern Conference CBA All-Star Coach three times in those four years, and became the first rookie coach since 1996 to be named an All-Star Coach. During his last season in Rockford, he reached his 100th career win, and has since compiled an impressive 144-96 regular season win-loss record. He is currently the head coach of the Minot SkyRockets.

[edit] Return of the Lightning

There have been rumors of the Lightning making a return to Rockford, but no official reports have been made. When the Lightning ceased operations in 2006, the franchise was not turning a profit due to a lack of attendance, not appealing to any investors looking to buy the team. This makes it seem unlikely that the team will return any time soon.