Great Falls Explorers

CBA team
colors = sky blue/navy

pixels = 150px
founded = 2006
league = CBA 2006-2008
history = Great Falls Explorers 2006-2008
arena = Four Seasons Arena 2006-2008
city = Great Falls, Montana
general manager = Ryan Acra
owner = West Coast Sports, LLC
coach = Rick Turner
championships = 0
titles = 0
General Manager = Ryan Acra
dancer team = The Sapphires
mascot = Rocky The Raccoon

The Great Falls Explorers are a team in the Continental Basketball Association founded in 2006. The team plays their home games at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, Montana. The franchise was branded 'Explorers' in honor of Lewis and Clark traveled through the area. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/cba/2006-06-09-great-falls-coach-aggers_x.htm USATODAY.com - Great Falls CBA team names Aggers coach ] ] The Explorers, previously coached by Steve Aggers, will be coached by Scott Wedman for the 2007-2008 season. The team's front office is led by General Manager Ryan Acra.

2006-2007

The Explorers were originally owned by Apex Sportstainment (present owners of the Butte Daredevils and Minot SkyRockets). The team's first coach, Steve Aggers, previously coached the College of Great Falls basketball program. In their inaugural season, the Explorers recorded a respectable 24-24 record but finished short of the playoffs. The Explorers had two CBA all stars in guard Malik Moore and forward Jamar Howard. The CBA Rookie of the Year was Explorers power forward Travis Garrison.

The Explorers averaged just over 700 paid fans per game and despite ownership issues, finished the season paid in full.

2007-2008

On November 24th, the Explorers were purchased by Michael Tuckman, president of West Coast Sports, LLC and former president/general manager of KONG-TV in Seattle, WA. Tuckman also holds expansion rights to the CBA's Vancouver Dragons. Tuckman took ownership but didn't fulfill any of the obligations he promised to prompting the resignation of General Manager Ryan Acra who had a quality team ready to report to camp. When money was not made available, camp began with only those players who would pay their own way to training camp.

Scott Wedman resigned as head coach on January 5, 2008 by Tuckman. The coach and players had refused to take the floor against the Butte Daredevils citing lack of pay [ [http://www.montanakaimin.com/index.php/sports/sports_article/welcome_to_montana_cba_basketball_wedman/2149 montanakaimin.com - Sports ] ] . Along with Wedman most of the players also left the team. Only Nate Green, Marlyn Bryant and Mike Peeples remained. Rick Turner was named as the new coach.

In mid-February, after a disagreement over the lease arrangement including $12,000 to $16,000 owed to the Four Seasons Arena, the Explorers were barred from the arena by manager Bill Ogg until all debts were settled. Tuckman alleged that the lease arrangement that had been negotiated by the prior ownership group was unfair. The Explorers played subsequent games at area high school gymnasiums including Fairfield High and Cascade High. [ [http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080212/SPORTS/802120322 Great Falls Tribune - www.greatfallstribune.com - Great Falls, MT ] ]

On Monday, February 25th, the Explorers ceased operations citing arena issues. [ [http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=cba/news/BAN4133729.htm The Sports Network - Continental Basketball Association (CBA) ] ]

Michael Tuckman who took over operations before the start of the season is being sued by Cascade County for rent owed for use of the Four Seasons Arena.

A minimum of four professional sports teams have folded under the leadership of Michael Tuckman.

References

External links

* [http://www.greatfallsexplorers.com/ Official Website]