American Basketball Association (1970-1976)
Tombstone
Born: July 29, 1970 – The Washington Caps relocate to Virginia
Folded: May 10, 1976
First Game: October 17, 1970 (W 133-116 vs. Pittsburgh Condors)
Last Game: April 7, 1976 (L 127-123 vs. New York Nets)
ABA Championships: None
Arenas
1970-1971: Old Dominion University Fieldhouse
Opened: 1970
Demolished:2006
1971-1972: Roanoke Civic Center (10,100)11971-72 Sporting News American Basketball Association Official Guide
Opened: 1971
1970-1976: Hampton Coliseum (10,000)21975-76 Sporting News Official American Basketball Association Guide
Opened:1969
1971-1976: Norfolk Scope (10,500)31975-76 Sporting News Official American Basketball Association Guide
Opened:1971
1971-1976: Richmond Coliseum (10,600)41975-76 Sporting News Official American Basketball Association Guide
Opened: 1971
Closed: 2019
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owners:
- 1970-1974: Earl Foreman, et al.
- 1974-1976: Van Cunningham, Theodore Broecker, John Bernhardt, et al.
Background
The Virginia Squires franchise began as the Oakland Oaks in 1967. They were charter members of the American Basketball Association (ABA). More to come…
Our Favorite Gear
Virginia Squires ABA Apparel
When it comes to Replica Jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable basketball jerseys.
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Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
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Relive Virginia’s pro basketball days in a jersey or T-Shirt, or both, from Royal Retros
Virginia Squires Shop
Editor's Pick
Loose Balls
The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association
By Terry Pluto
What do Julius Erving, Larry Brown, Moses Malone, Bob Costas, the Indiana Pacers, the San Antonio Spurs and the Slam Dunk Contest have in common? They all got their professional starts in the American Basketball Association.
The NBA may have won the financial battle, but the ABA won the artistic war. With its stress on wide-open individual play, the adoption of the 3-point shot and pressing defense, and the encouragement of flashy moves and flying dunks, today’s NBA is still—decades later —just the ABA without the red, white and blue ball.
Loose Balls is, after all these years, the definitive and most widely respected history of the ABA. It’s a wild ride through some of the wackiest, funniest, strangest times ever to hit pro sports—told entirely through the (often incredible) words of those who played, wrote and connived their way through the league’s nine seasons..
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
In Memoriam
Head Coach Al Bianchi (Squires ’70-’75) passed away on October 28, 2019 from congestive heart failure. Bianchi was 87 years old. New York Times obituary.
Links
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