Continental Basketball Association (1982-1988)
Tombstone
Born: 1982 – CBA expansion franchise
Folded: April 30, 1988
First Game: December 3, 1982 (W 117-111 @ Billings Volcanos)
Last Game: April 30, 1988 (L 105-96 @ Albany Patroons)
CBA Championships: None
Arena
Casper Events Center (8,842)11986-87 Continental Basketball Association Official Guide & Register
Opened: 1982
Branding
Team Colors: Cardinal Red & Royal Blue21986-87 Continental Basketball Association Official Guide & Register
Ownership
Owners:
- 1982-1987: Tom Hedges, et al.
- 1987-1988: John O’Donnell
- 1988: Continental Basketball Association
Wildcatters Wear
Wyoming Wildcatters
Logo T-Shirt
Casper, Wyoming is a long way from Madison Square Garden or the Fabulous Forum, but the men of the Continental Basketball Associations’ Wyoming Wildcatters were just a phone call away from the NBA during the 1980’s.
This Wildcatters logo tee is available now from American Retro Apparel in sizes small through XXXL today!
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Background
The Casper-based Wyoming Wildcatters played six seasons in the Continental Basketball Association. The CBA was the official developmental league of the NBA during much of the 1980’s. The club advanced the the CBA championship series twice, in 1984 and 1988, and lost both times to the Albany Patroons. That 1984 Patroons team was coached by future 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson.
The Wildcatters run to the 1988 CBA Finals was particularly unlikely. Team owner John O’Donnell ran into financial problems and turned the club over to the league on March 1, 1988. The Wildcatters lost 20 of their final 23 regular season games but slipped into the playoffs thanks to the CBA’s generous postseason set-up. Then the Wildcatters inexplicably got hot and defeated the La Crosse Catbirds and Rockford Lightning to advance to the finals against Albany. Although Albany (48-6) had one of the great minor league clubs of all-time that season, the Wildcatters took them all the way to Game 7, before losing the deciding match in New York.
The owner-less Wildcatters went out of business as soon as Game 7 ended.
Wyoming Wildcatters Shop
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
Continental Basketball Association
Logo T-Shirt
This Old School Shirts release is strictly for the hardcore hoop heads.
Before the NBA had the G-League, it had the CBA with teams stretched from Puerto Rico to Honolulu. During the CBA’s 1980’s and 90’s heyday, the league provided a launching pad for future NBA All-Stars such as John Starks and Michael Adams as well as coaching legends Phil Jackson and George Karl.
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Wyoming Wildcatters Video
1988 CBA Championship Series Game One. Wildcatters at the Albany Patroons on ESPN.
In Memoriam
Former Wildcatters owner & team President Tom Hedges passed away on April 8, 1999 at the age of 59.
Links
Continental Basketball Association Media Guides
Continental Basketball Association Programs
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4 Responses
I was on the Wildkittens dance team. We had so much fun. I’m currently hoping to find some footage of the dance team.
I was on the dance tram in 1985. I am looking for the program printed. Or, taped footage . Thank you .
When I was a kid Boot Bond rented a house in Casper Wyoming from my parents. I got to meet him in person and watched him play. Great guy.
I used to play for them in 1988