Gary Steelheads
Encyclopedia
The Gary Steelheads were a professional basketball
team that played in the International Basketball League
. In the past they played in the International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association
, and the United States Basketball League
. They were based in Gary, Indiana
and played their home games at the Genesis Convention Center
. The Steelheads were the 2006 CBA Eastern Conference champions.
Gary was awarded a franchise in the CBA in 2000. The league folded so the Steelheads joined the IBL. Former CBA franchise owners purchased the CBA name from the bancruptcy court. The IBL and IBA combined to reform the CBA in 2001. After playing five seasons in the CBA the team announced on July 21, 2006, that they would be sitting out the 2006-07 CBA season.
During that time former owner Jewell Harris Sr. was indicted on federal extortion and other charges unrelated to the team. Harris resigned from the team pending a sale.
On October 24, the new ownership, Showtime Sports and Entertainment, LLC (headlined by Jewell Harris Jr.), announced they would be moving to the USBL for 2007.
After one season in the USBL, which included multiple teams folding, the Steelheads joined the IBL
(unrelated to the former IBL) for the 2008 season. The Steelheads will sit out the 2009 season.
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 played 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 International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
, and the United States Basketball League
United States Basketball League
The United States Basketball League , often abbreviated to the USBL, was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985. The final champions are the Kansas Cagerz, who won the title game on July 1, 2007.-History:...
. They were based in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
and played their home games at the Genesis Convention Center
Genesis Convention Center
The Genesis Convention Center is a 7,000 seat multi-purpose arena located in Gary, Indiana, United States. It is home to the Gary Splash of the Independent Basketball Association and formerly the Gary Steelheads. It has also held the Miss USA pageant twice, in 2001 and 2002.- External links :* *...
. The Steelheads were the 2006 CBA Eastern Conference champions.
History
During that time former owner Jewell Harris Sr. was indicted on federal extortion and other charges unrelated to the team. Harris resigned from the team pending a sale.
On October 24, the new ownership, Showtime Sports and Entertainment, LLC (headlined by Jewell Harris Jr.), announced they would be moving to the USBL for 2007.
After one season in the USBL, which included multiple teams folding, the Steelheads joined the IBL
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:...
(unrelated to the former IBL) for the 2008 season. The Steelheads will sit out the 2009 season.
Year-by-year
| Year | League | Wins | Losses | % | Reg. Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | CBA | 9 | 15 | .375 | 5th, American | League Folded |
| 2000/01 | IBL | 7 | 23 | .233 | 5th, National | Did not qualify |
| 2001/02 | CBA | 22 | 34 | .393 | 4th, American | Did not qualify |
| 2002/03 | CBA | 25 | 23 | .521 | 3rd, American | Did not qualify |
| 2003/04 | CBA | 27 | 21 | .563 | 3rd | Lost First Round |
| 2004/05 | CBA | 17 | 31 | .354 | 4th, Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2005/06 | CBA | 29 | 19 | .604 | 2nd, Eastern | Conference Champs |
| 2007 | USBL | 16 | 11 | .593 | 3rd | Lost First Round |
| 2008 | IBL | 18 | 4 | .818 | 1st | Opted Out |