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The Quad City Thunder was a Continental Basketball Association (CBA) franchise that was based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. They played in the CBA from the 1987–88 season until the CBA folded in 2001.[1] The Thunder were successful on the court, capturing CBA championships in the 1993–94 and 1997–98 seasons, and runner-up in the 1990–91 season. The Thunder played in Moline, Illinois, first at Wharton Field House before moving to the new MARK of the Quad Cities in 1993.[2]
| Quad City Thunder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| League | Continental Basketball Association (1987–2001) |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Folded | 2001 |
| History | Quad City Thunder 1987–2001 |
| Arena |
|
| Location | Moline, Illinois |
| Team colors | navy, orange |
| Head coach | Mauro Panaggio (1987–1991) Dan Panaggio (1991–2000) |
| Ownership | Anne Potter DeLong (1987–1996) Jay Gellerman Family (1996–2000) Isiah Thomas (2000–2001) |
| Championships | 2 (1994, 1998) |
| Website | www |
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The Thunder first began play at the Wharton Field House in Moline, Illinois, (former home of the NBA's Tri-Cities Blackhawks) in the 1987–88 season, with 6,047 fans attending the first home game. The Thunder were the first professional basketball franchise in the Quad Cities since the Tri-Cities Blackhawks moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1953.[3] Initially a great success in the CBA, the Thunder struggled with attendance towards the end of their existence, especially with competition from their co-tenants at the Mark, the Quad City Mallards hockey team. The Thunder folded when the CBA ceased operations following the 2000–01 season.[4]
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1993–1994
The 1993–1994 team went 34–22 under Dan Panaggio. They swept through the playoffs. They first defeated the Rochester Renegades in overtime of a playoff play-in in Bismarck, N.D. They then defeated the Grand Rapids Hoops 4–1 in best-of-seven second round; Defeated the La Crosse Catbirds 4–0 in conference finals.
Finally, the Thunder defeated the Omaha Racers 4–1, winning last three on road to claim franchise’s first league title. The Thunder won the opener in double overtime after Tate George tied the game with last-second buckets at both the end of regulation and of the first overtime. The Thunder then lost the second game in triple overtime, but won three straight in Omaha, the last in overtime.
Chris Childs averaged 17.4 points and 8.5 assists in the playoffs, was the Finals MVP and went on to the National Basketball Association. Other key players were Harold Ellis 21.4ppg, Tate George 16.4, Bobby Martin 13.6, Barry Mitchell 13.0, Matt Fish 7.1RPG, Ashraf Amaya 6.9, and Cedric Henderson 6.1.[5]
1997–1998
The 1997–98 Thunder finished 38–18 under Dan Panaggio. In the playoffs they swept the La Crosse Catbirds in three games and defeated the Rockford Lightning in five games.
In the CBA Finals, they won a deciding seventh at home over the Sioux Falls Skyforce to capture their second CBA Championship. Key players were: Jimmy King 16.4ppg, Jeff McInnis 14.9ppg, Alvin Sims 13.6ppg, Doug Smith 12.8ppg, Willie Burton 11.6, Byron Houston 8.7Rpg, and Barry Sumpter. King won league MVP, McInnis was Newcomer of the Year, Sims became the Thunder’s first Rookie of the Year and Dan Panaggio won his second Coach of the Year award.[5]
Misc Notes
The Thunder and their fans enjoyed a spirited rivalry with the Rockford Lightning.
The Thunder's mascot was Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
Hall of Fame player George Gervin played for the Thunder during the 1989–90 season in a brief comeback attempt. His tenure highlighted by the December 13, 1989 matchup against his brother Derrick Gervin and his Santa Barbara team. In that game, George scored 43 points and Derrick 39 in a Thunder record 172-122 victory.
In 1992, history was made when, for the first time in the 45-year history of U.S. professional basketball, a father and son opposed one another as head coaches. Former Thunder Coach Mauro Panaggio went head to head against son Dan Panaggio when Mauro's Rockford Lightning played Dan's Quad City Thunder.[6]
From 2002-04 five former Thunder players/coaches/staffers were with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers simultaneously. Jeff McInnis (player), Maurice Cheeks (Head Coach), Dan Panaggio (assistant coach), Dave Cohen (Director of Sales) and Joe Bivona (Director of Game Operations).
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Franchise Owners
- Anne Potter DeLong, 1987-1997.
- Jay Gellerman, 1997-1999.
- Isiah Thomas, 1999-2000.
- Blind trust, 2000-2001
Franchise General Managers
- Rich McArdle, 1987-93.
- Ed DeLong, 1993-94.
- Jim Meenan, 1995-96.
- Casey Kahler, 1996-97.
- Mike Weindruch, 1997-99.
- Fred Radunzel, 1999-2000.
- Kim Evans, 2000-2001.
Franchise Coaches
- Mauro Panaggio 132–88 15–18 (1987–1991)
- Dan Panaggio 313–191 41–30 (1991–2000)
- Bob Thornton 8–13 (2000–2001) .[5]
Thunder CBA Most Valuable Player
- 1992 Barry Mitchell
- 1993 Derek Strong
- 1998 Jimmy King
- 2000 Jeff McInnis[7]
Thunder NBA Callups
1988–89
- Kevin Gamble, Boston
- Bill Jones, New Jersey
- Anthony Bowie, San Antonio
- Corey Gaines, New Jersey
- Barry Sumpter, L.A. Clippers
1989–90
- Nate Johnston, Portland, Utah
- Kenny Gattison, Charlotte
1990–91
- A. J. Wynder, Boston
- Tony Harris, Philadelphia
1991–92
- Steve Scheffler, Sacramento
- Anthony Bowie, Orlando
1992–93
- Derek Strong, Milwaukee
1993–94
- Harold Ellis, L.A. Clippers
- Morlon Wiley, Miami
1994–95
- Greg Sutton, Charlotte
- Kevin Pritchard, Philadelphia, Miami
- Randolph Keys, Lakers, Milwaukee
- Tate George, Milwaukee
1995–96
- Kevin Pritchard, Washington
1996–97
- Joe Courtney, Philadelphia
- Erick Strickland, Dallas
- Rich Manning, L.A. Clippers
- Jimmy King, Denver
- Matt Steigenga, Chicago
1997–98
- Litterial Green, Milwaukee
- Willie Burton, San Antonio
1998–99
- J.R. Henderson, Vancouver
- Jeff McInnis, Washington
1999-00
- Jeff McInnis, L.A. Clippers
- Maceo Baston, Milwaukee
- Jamel Thomas, Boston, Portland
2000–01
- John Coker, Golden State .[5]
Quad City Thunder All-Time Roster
- Ashraf Amaya, 1993–94.
- Tim Anderson, 1990–91, 1992–93.
- Paul Atkins, 1989–90.
- Terrell Baker, 2000–01.
- Cedric Ball, 1996–97.
- Ken Bannister, 1987–88.
- Stephen Bardo, 1990–92.
- Maceo Baston, 1998–2000.
- Kenny Battle, 1994–95.
- Willie Bland, 1993–95.
- Dan Bingenheimer, 1992–93.
- Willie Bland, 1990–91.
- Lance Blanks, 1993–94.
- Herb Blunt, 1988–90.
- Anthony Bowie, 1987–89, 91–92.
- Donta Bright, 1996–97.
- Mark Brisker, 1992–93.
- Carl Brown, 1990–91.
- Tony Brown, 1990–91.
- Wiley Brown, 1989–90.
- Rick Brunson, 1996–97.
- Torgeir Bryn, 1989–90.
- Evers Burns, 1988–89.
- Isaac Burton, 1997–98.
- Willie Burton, 1997–98.
- Brent Carmichael, 1987–88.
- Ron Cavenall, 1989–90.
- Lorenzo Charles, 1988–89.
- Derrick Chievous, 1991–93.
- Chris Childs, 1992–94.
- Brian Christenson, 1987–88.
- Kipp Christianson, 2000–01.
- John Coker, 2000–01.
- Gary Collier, 1994–95.
- James Collins, 1998–99.
- Leroy Combs, 1987–88.
- Darwin Cook, 1991–92.
- Sean Couch, 1989–90.
- Joe Courtney, 1996–97.
- Herb Crook, 1988–89.
- Lloyd Daniels, 1989–90.
- Joel Debortoli, 1990–91.
- Terry Dozier, 1989–90.
- Nate Driggers, 1995–96.
- Ron Draper, 1990–91.
- Kenny Drummond, 1989–91, 92–93, 94–95.
- Marty Eggleston, 1989–90.
- Harold Ellis, 1992–94.
- LeRon Ellis, 1996–97.
- Kwame Evans, 1996–97.
- Matt Fish, 1993–94.
- Rod Foster, 1987–88.
- Reggie Fox, 1992–93.
- Reggie Freeman, 1998–99.
- Corey Gaines, 1988–89.
- Kevin Gamble, 1987–89.
- Ruben Garces, 1998–99.
- Chris Garner, 1999–2001.
- Keith Gatlin, 1988–90.
- Kenny Gattison, 1989–90.
- Sean Gay, 1996–97.
- Reggie Geary, 1998–99.
- Tate George, 1993–94, 95–96.
- George Gervin, 1989–90.
- Mike Gibson, 1987–88.
- Orlando Graham, 1990–91.
- Evric Gray, 1994–95.
- Jeff Grayer, 1998–99.
- Kenny Green, 1988–89.
- Ken A. Green, 1990–91.
- Litterial Green, 1994–96, 97–99.
- Gerald Greene, 1989–90.
- Clarence Grier, 1987–88.
- Scott Haffner, 1991–92.
- Emmet Hall, 1994–96.
- Ray Hall, 1987–89.
- Tony Harris, 1990–92.
- Jack Hartman, 2000–01.
- Earl Hayes, 1987–88.
- Cedric Henderson, 1987–89, 93–94, 95–96.
- David Henderson, 1990–91.
- J.R. Henderson, 1998–99.
- Phil Henderson, 1990–91, 92–93.
- Bakari Hendrix, 1998-00.
- Fred Herzog, 1998–99.
- Derrick Hicks, 1993–94.
- Rico Hill, 1999-00.
- Johnnie Hilliard, 1993–94.
- Kermit Holmes, 1997–99.
- Derek Hood, 1999-00.
- Anthony Houston, 1992–93.
- Byron Houston, 1997–98.
- Alfredrick Hughes, 1992–93.
- Anderson Hunt, 1994–96.
- Joe Hurst, 1987–88.
- Jermaine Jackson, 2000–01.
- Stanley Jackson, 1998–99.
- Trent Jackson, 1989–90.
- Justin Jennings, 1998-00.
- Kris Johnson, 1999-00.
- Nate Johnston, 1988–90.
- Bill Jones, 1989–90, 94–95.
- Greg Jones, 1987–88.
- Ozell Jones, 1987–88.
- Tony Karasek, 1988–89.
- Martin Keane, 1998–99.
- Michael Kennedy, 1987–88.
- Jonathan Kerner, 2000–01.
- Randolph Keys, 1993–95.
- Gerard King, 1995–96.
- Jimmy King, 1996–97, 98–00.
- Bruno Kongawoin, 1987–88.
- Eric Kubel, 2000–01.
- Jim Lampley, 1989–90.
- Andre Larry, 2000–01.
- Troy Lewis, 1988–90.
- Malcolm Mackey, 1999-00.
- Rich Manning, 1994–95, 96–98.
- Roy Marble, 1992–93.
- Bobby Martin, 1991–94, 99–00.
- Maurice Martin, 1989–90.
- Billy McCaffrey, 1996–97.
- Dwayne McClain, 1987–88.
- Paris McCurdy, 1995–96.
- Von McDade, 1991–92.
- Shawn McDaniel, 1992–93.
- Jeff McInnis, 1997-00.
- Carlton McKinney, 1989–90.
- Barry Mitchell, 1990–94.
- Alvin Mobley, 1995–96.
- Paul Mokeski, 1992–93.
- Greg Monroe, 1987–88.
- Dwight Moody, 1990–92.
- Tracy Moore, 1989–90.
- Richard Morton, 1993–94.
- Troy Muilenberg, 1991–93.
- Robert Mukes, 1990–91.
- Pete Myers, 1998–99.
- Bill Nelson, 1988–89.
- Melvin Newbern, 1990–91.
- Jimmy Oliver, 1996–97.
- Alexander Okunsky, 1993–94.
- Townsend Orr, 1998–99.
- Anthony Parker, 1999-00.
- Jesse Pate, 1996–99.
- Andre Patterson, 1987–88.
- Kenny Patterson, 1987–88.
- Jon Pearcy 1998–99.
- Russell Pierre, 1987–88.
- Kurt Portmann, 1995–97.
- Kevin Pritchard, 1994–96.
- Donte Quinine, 2000–01.
- Ken Redfield, 1993–94.
- Brian Reese, 1994–95.
- Richard Rellford, 1996–97.
- Lafester Rhodes, 1988–90.
- David Robinson, 1995–96.
- Jackie Robinson, 1996–97.
- Keith Robinson, 1990–92.
- Mark Robinson, 1990–91.
- Lou Roe, 1999-00.
- Rob Rose, 1991–92.
- Clifford Rozier, 1997–99.
- Darren Sanderlin, 1991–92.
- Derrick Sanders, 1987–88.
- Chris Sandle, 1988–89.
- Steve Scheffler, 1991–92, 98–99.
- Larry Scovens, 87–89.
- Tom Sheehey, 1991–92.
- Alvin Sims, 1997–98, 99–00.
- Lazarus Sims, 1998-89.
- Jose Slaughter, 1989–90.
- Doug Smith, 1997–99.
- LaBradford Smith, 1994–96.
- Matt Steigenga, 1996–98.
- Larry Stewart 1995–96.
- Marcus Stokes, 1994–95, 97–98.
- Erick Strickland, 1996–97.
- Derek Strong, 1992–93.
- Lamont Strothers, 1993–94.
- Kelby Stuckey, 1995–96.
- Barry Sumpter, 1988–89, 90–93, 94–99.
- Dirkk Surles, 1993–94.
- Greg Sutton, 1997–98.
- Shon Tarver, 1994–95.
- Jay Taylor, 1994–96.
- Robert W. Taylor 1989–1992
- Jamel Thomas, 1999–2000
- Tom Thompson, 1988–89.
- Mark Tillmon, 1990–91.
- Kelvin Upshaw, 1996–97.
- Mark Wade, 1987–88.
- Milt Wagner, 1990–91.
- Jamie Waller, 1987–88.
- Jay Webb, 1993–95.
- Demone Webster, 1990–91.
- Kelsey Weems, 1989–90.
- Tyson Wheeler, 1999-00.
- Chuckie White, 1996–97.
- Mitchell Wiggins, 1987–88.
- Morlon Wiley, 1993–94, 95–96, 97–98.
- Eddie Lee Wilkins, 1987–88.
- Travis Williams, 1998–99.
- Greg Wiltjer, 1990–1991; 1993–94.
- Steve Woodberry, 1996–97.
- Randy Woods, 1996–97.
- Steve Woodside, 1987–88.
- Blake Wortham, 1987–88.
- A. J. Wynder, 1990–92.
- Perry Young, 1987–90.[5]
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