Elmira Bulldogs
| Elmira Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2006 |
| League |
ABA 2007 NPBL 2007-present EBA 2008-2010 |
| Team history |
Corning Bulldogs 2006-2007 Elmira Bulldogs 2007-present |
| Based in |
Corning, New York 2007 Elmira, New York 2007-present |
| Arena |
Corning Community College gymnasium 2007 Chemung County YMCA gymnasium 2007-2009 Southside High School (Elmira) gymnasium 2010-2010 First Arena 2010- 2 games |
| Colors | Red, black, white |
| Championships | None |
| Division titles | 1 |
| Mascot | Brutis |
The Elmira Bulldogs are a member of the National Professional Basketball League, beginning play in the 2008 season. The team was initially known as the Corning Bulldogs, however the Bulldogs, a member of the ABA, ceased operations soon into the first season.
History
Corning
The Corning Bulldogs began play in 2007 as a member of the American Basketball Association. They were based in Corning, New York, making it the smallest city with its own ABA franchise. The team ran into problems almost immediately, drawing only about 500 fans to their home opener. By their sixth game, a home game, only 80 fans were in attendance. These attendance issues, coupled with the withdraw of financial support from a co-owner, led to the folding of the team with a 2-4 record.[1] Co-owner Schutz was also quoted as saying the team's former arena, the Corning Community College gymnasium's location on a hill kept fans away.[2]
Elmira
The Bulldogs would not remain folded for long. Soon after, the Bulldogs, with a new co-owner Charles Berch, were announced as the Elmira Bulldogs, and joined the upstart National Professional Basketball League, a spring league. In addition, the team announced the re-signing of several former players, and a new venue, the Chemung County YMCA[3] The team will open up their new season in the spring of 2008.
The team has posted a 10-3 record in the regular season that has now since been completed as of June 1. The Bulldogs won the North Division Conference Championship against Hudson Valley, by a score of 126-113 on June 21. Elmira lost to the Delaware Destroyers on June 28, 2008 in the NPBL Championship, which was held in Elmira.
On June 25, it was announced that 4 members of the Bulldogs were chosen as NPBL all-stars. The four players are, David Ruffin, Mackenzie Clark, Darwin Young, and Lester McNair. Also on June 25 it was announced the Tychicus "Tic" Snow will be leaving the Bulldogs and will miss the NPBL Championship game to attend a NBA Development League Tryout Camp that he has invited to along with 200 players. in 2010 Tynchicus hard work paid off as he signed a contract to play with the Erie Bayhwaks of the NBA-Dleague. The Bulldogs folded once again following a failed publicity stunt in which owner James Schultz paid $40,000 dollars for Dennis Rodman to coach two regular season games.
References
- ↑ http://www.the-leader.com/articles/2007/12/01/sports/sports01.txt
- ↑ Vesey, Steve. "Corning Bulldogs Fold ." WETM 18 Online 08 Dec. 2007 26 Dec. 2007 <http://www.wetmtv.com/sports/story.aspx?content_id=5ec96087-a0f8-46ff-a5c5-d42cd773ecdb>.
- ↑ "Bulldogs back from the dead." Daily and Sunday Review 21 Dec. 2007 26 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2276&dept_id=470581&newsid=19135369&PAG=461&rfi=9>.
