Bellingham Slam
Encyclopedia
The Bellingham Slam is a professional basketball
team that plays in the International Basketball League
. In the past they played in the American Basketball Association. They were originally expected to play in Everett, Washington
, but were relocated to Bellingham, Washington
under the ownership of John Dominguez. The head coach is Rob Ridnour, father of Luke Ridnour
of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. In their third season of existence, the team won an IBL championship in 2008.
The Slam have found success by primarily utilizing lesser-known NCAA Division II players rather than Division I players. Each season the Slam's roster features several players who played collegiately in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference
. They play their home games at Whatcom Pavilion
on the campus of Whatcom Community College
.
, 134-116 in the first round and over the Pittsburgh Xplosion
, 122-115 in the second round) in 2005, but lost in the Great Eight Tournament in Rochester
to the San Jose SkyRockets by a score of 138-119 on March 22, 2006. The team averaged 529 fans per game, with a high of 1,078 when Dennis Rodman
and the Tijuana Dragons
came to Bellingham.
before losing to the Vermont Frost Heaves
by a score of 119-103 in the league quarterfinals. The Slam averaged 437 fans per game, with a high of 960 coming in their home opener.
and third overall with a 19-4 record, winning the West Division during the regular season's final weekend. At the Western Conference Tournament at the Monroe Sports Arena
, they received a first round bye, won their conference semi-final game 129-101 over the Edmonton Chill, and won their conference final game over the Vancouver Volcanoes
120-106.
The Slam hosted the 2008 IBL Championship Game against the Elkhart Express
at Whatcom Pavilion
on July 18. Bellingham defeated Elkhart 118-111 in front of a sell-out crowd of 1,100 to claim their first championship.http://www.bellinghamslam.com/stats/71808boxscore.htm, http://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/story/471619.html. With the championship game included, the Slam set a franchise record of 621 fans per game.
The 2009 season also saw the Slam's home court winning streak of 19 games broken in their season opener to the Seattle Mountaineers
, although following the loss the Slam went on to win their remaining nine home games. The Slam averaged 524 fans per home game and 240 fans per road game in 2009.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team that plays in the International Basketball League
International Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
. In the past they played in the American Basketball Association. They were originally expected to play in Everett, Washington
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
, but were relocated to Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
under the ownership of John Dominguez. The head coach is Rob Ridnour, father of Luke Ridnour
Luke Ridnour
Lucas Robin "Luke" Ridnour is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was born in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and grew up in Blaine, Washington.- High school career :...
of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. In their third season of existence, the team won an IBL championship in 2008.
The Slam have found success by primarily utilizing lesser-known NCAA Division II players rather than Division I players. Each season the Slam's roster features several players who played collegiately in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Great Northwest Athletic Conference
The Great Northwest Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which has historically operated in the Northwestern United States, but also currently includes four schools in areas not usually considered part of that region—two in Alaska , one in eastern Montana The Great Northwest...
. They play their home games at Whatcom Pavilion
Whatcom Pavilion
The Whatcom Pavilion is a 1,100 seat multi-purpose arena located in Bellingham, Washington, United States on the campus of Whatcom Community College. It is home to the Whatcom Community College Orcas and the Bellingham Slam of the International Basketball League.-External links:*...
on the campus of Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College , known as Whatcom, is a community college located in Bellingham, Washington, the county seat of Whatcom County. Whatcom, a public associate degree-granting college, has course and program offers in the liberal arts, professional/technical, basic education and...
.
Inaugural season (2005-06)
The Slam finished their inaugural season 18-14, good for second place in the Red Conference's Ron Boone Division and a #10 seed in the playoffs. They won their first two playoff games (over the Tacoma NavigatorsTacoma Navigators
The Tacoma Navigators, owned by Michael Tuckman, are a defunct team in the American Basketball Association. The Navigators made it to the playoffs in their first and only season only to forfeit their first round game in Newark, NJ. The team was coached by former Seattle Supersonics player Vincent...
, 134-116 in the first round and over the Pittsburgh Xplosion
Pittsburgh Xplosion
The Pittsburgh Xplosion was a member of the Continental Basketball Association from 2006–2008. Founded in 2004 as the Pittsburgh Hard Hats as a member of the ABA, the team, following an ownership change, took the court as the Pennsylvania Pit Bulls. The team became the Xplosion in 2005, and joined...
, 122-115 in the second round) in 2005, but lost in the Great Eight Tournament in Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
to the San Jose SkyRockets by a score of 138-119 on March 22, 2006. The team averaged 529 fans per game, with a high of 1,078 when Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
and the Tijuana Dragons
Tijuana Dragons
The Tijuana Dragons was an American Basketball Association team based in Tijuana, Mexico. The team began play in the fall of 2004. They finished the 2005 season with a 10-16 record and a 7th place finish in the Red Division...
came to Bellingham.
Second season (2006-07)
The Slam finished their second season 21-10, which was good for first place in the Red Conference's North Division, a #8 seed in the playoffs, and a first-round bye. They won their first playoff game 137-103 over the Hollywood FameHollywood Fame
The Hollywood Fame was a team in the American Basketball Association based in Los Angeles, California. It was an expansion team for the 2006–07 season. The team is no longer a team in the ABA....
before losing to the Vermont Frost Heaves
Vermont Frost Heaves
The Vermont Frost Heaves were a professional basketball team in Vermont, United States that last played in the Premier Basketball League, last coached by Joe Salerno. The formation of the team was announced in December, 2005 by founding owner Alexander Wolff, a Cornwall, Vermont resident and...
by a score of 119-103 in the league quarterfinals. The Slam averaged 437 fans per game, with a high of 960 coming in their home opener.
Third season (2008)
The Slam finished their first season in the International Basketball LeagueInternational Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
and third overall with a 19-4 record, winning the West Division during the regular season's final weekend. At the Western Conference Tournament at the Monroe Sports Arena
Monroe Sports Arena
The Monroe Sports Arena is a 2,000 seat multi-purpose arena located in Monroe, Washington, United States on the campus of Monroe High School. It was home to the Snohomish County Explosion of the International Basketball League. The Monroe High School gymnasium was renamed the Monroe Sports Arena in...
, they received a first round bye, won their conference semi-final game 129-101 over the Edmonton Chill, and won their conference final game over the Vancouver Volcanoes
Vancouver Volcanoes
The Vancouver Volcanoes are an International Basketball League franchise in Vancouver, Washington. The team has played at several arenas throughout their existence and will play in the O'Connell Sports Center on the campus of Clark College.-2005 Season:...
120-106.
The Slam hosted the 2008 IBL Championship Game against the Elkhart Express
Elkhart Express
The Elkhart Express were an International Basketball League team based in Elkhart, Indiana. The team won the 2006 and 2007 IBL championships. The Express officially released that they were folding on January 5, 2009...
at Whatcom Pavilion
Whatcom Pavilion
The Whatcom Pavilion is a 1,100 seat multi-purpose arena located in Bellingham, Washington, United States on the campus of Whatcom Community College. It is home to the Whatcom Community College Orcas and the Bellingham Slam of the International Basketball League.-External links:*...
on July 18. Bellingham defeated Elkhart 118-111 in front of a sell-out crowd of 1,100 to claim their first championship.http://www.bellinghamslam.com/stats/71808boxscore.htm, http://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/story/471619.html. With the championship game included, the Slam set a franchise record of 621 fans per game.
Fourth season (2009)
The Slam were unable to repeat as IBL Champions in 2009, as they were defeated in the third round of the playoffs by the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lightning. The Slam reached the third round by finishing the regular season first in the IBL's North Division with a 16-4 record and earning a first round bye in the playoffs. Bellingham defeated the Tacoma Tide in the second round, 116-111, before losing to Los Angeles 132-121. With their two playoff games included, the Slam finished the 2009 season with a 17-5 record.The 2009 season also saw the Slam's home court winning streak of 19 games broken in their season opener to the Seattle Mountaineers
Seattle Mountaineers
The Seattle Mountaineers are an International Basketball League and American Basketball Association team based in Auburn, Washington. Home games are played at Green River Community College.The team is a non-profit organization and coached by Don Sims...
, although following the loss the Slam went on to win their remaining nine home games. The Slam averaged 524 fans per home game and 240 fans per road game in 2009.
2005-2006 roster
- Mike BushMike BushMike Bush is a veteran, award winning news anchor/reporter for KSDK-TV in St. Louis, Missouri.- Biography :At the time of this writing, he is the anchor for Newschannel5's 5, and 10pm newscasts...
- Brian Dennis
- Caleb Gervin
- Brandon Hartley
- Drew Langstraat
- Mike ParkerMike ParkerMichael Parker is an American politician from the U.S. state of Mississippi. He served in Congress as a member of the Democratic Party and, later, the Republican Party. He later served as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army, with authority over the U.S...
- Craig Roosendaal
- Eric Sandrin
- Jacob Stevenson
- Jared Stevenson
- TJ Williams
- Kevin Woodberry
2006-2007 roster
- Kyle Dalvit
- Brian Dennis
- Chris FergusonChris FergusonChristopher Philip Ferguson is an American professional poker player. He has won five World Series of Poker events, including the 2000 WSOP Main Event, and the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. On September 20, 2011, the U.S...
- Scott Freymond
- Brandon Hartley
- Michael Jones
- Mike ParkerMike ParkerMichael Parker is an American politician from the U.S. state of Mississippi. He served in Congress as a member of the Democratic Party and, later, the Republican Party. He later served as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army, with authority over the U.S...
- Matt Short
- Jacob Stevenson
- Jared Stevenson
2008 roster
- Tyler Amaya
- Kyle Dalvit
- Ryan Diggs
- Brian Dennis
- Chris FergusonChris FergusonChristopher Philip Ferguson is an American professional poker player. He has won five World Series of Poker events, including the 2000 WSOP Main Event, and the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship. On September 20, 2011, the U.S...
- Paul Hafford
- Brandon Hartley
- Lukas Henne
- Jared Stevenson
- Jacob Stevenson
- Charlie Van
2009 roster
- Tyler Amaya
- David Brittinen
- Ryan Diggs
- Kyle Dalvit
- Brian Dennis
- Ira Graham
- Paul Hafford
- Lukas Henne
- Jake Linton
- Steve NewmanSteve NewmanSteve Newman is an accomplished South African acoustic guitarist, and was a founder member of the popular African group Tananas. For thirty years Newman has been collaborating with fellow South African guitarist, Tony Cox. He is also one of The Aquarian Quartet, consisting of Tony Cox, Syd Kitchen...
- Calin Schell
- Brandon SmithBrandon SmithBrandon Smith may refer to:* Brandon Smith , Canadian football player* Brandon Smith , Canadian ice hockey player* Brandon Smith, , American actor...
- Jared Stevenson
- Jacob Stevenson
- Charlie Van