United States Basketball League (1995)
Tombstone
Born: 1995 – USBL expansion franchise
Folded: Postseason 1995
First Game: May 12, 1995 (L 141-121 @ Memphis Fire)
Last Game: July 2, 1995 (W 123-89 vs. Jacksonville Shooters)
USBL Championships: None
Arena
Lambuth University
Marketing
Team Colors: Black, Blue & White11995 Long Island Surf Yearbook
Ownership
Owner: United States Basketball League
Attendance
Precise records are spotty with the USBL, but local coverage from The Jackson Sun provides a pretty good (and grim) idea of the Jackals attendance picture.2Morris, Dan. “Will the Jackals be back?” The Sun (Jackson, TN). July 2, 1995 Heading into the team’s final home game of the 1995 season, USBL officials figures had the Jackals averaging 352 fans per contest, a tally which included all 140 of the season tickets the team distributed for each, though most were no-shows. The Sun estimated actual attendance at 200 per game. The Jackals’ final game drew 135 fans.3Mason, Eric. “Jackals win season finale”. The Sun (Jackson, MS). July 3, 1995
Background
The Jackson Jackals were a forlorn minor league hoops outfit that popped up devoid of fanfare in this Tennessee city during the spring of 1995. The Jackals vanished quietly two months later after completing a 25-game regular season with a 10-15 record.
The Jackals were members of the small-budget United States Basketball League. The USBL was a circus-like East Coast circuit with a constantly revolving collection of clubs. The 1995 line-up included teams stretching from Miami to Long Island. The Jackals and another Tennessee entry – the Memphis Fire – were the USBL’s western-most outposts.
Former Memphis State star Keith Lee, the #11 overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, signed on to coach the Jackals and occasionally suited up to play as well.
The team was a complete misfire in Jackson, starting with the USBL’s choice of home court. Lambuth University’s athletic center offered no air conditioning, resulting in sweltering conditions and a slick playing surface covered in condensation.
The Jackals went out of business following the 1995 season. The USBL played on until 2007 before closings its doors for good.
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