1985-86 Wyoming Wildcatters Yearbook from the Continental Basketball Association

Wyoming Wildcatters

Continental Basketball Association (1982-1988)

Tombstone

Born: 1982 – CBA expansion franchise
Folded: April 30, 1988

First Game: December 3, 1982 (W 117-111 @ Billings Volcanos)
Last Game: April 30, 1988 (L 105-96 @ Albany Patroons)

CBA Championships: None

Arena

Casper Events Center (8,842)11986-87 Continental Basketball Association Official Guide & Register
Opened: 1982

Branding

Team Colors: Cardinal Red & Royal Blue21986-87 Continental Basketball Association Official Guide & Register

Ownership

Owners:

 

Wildcatters Wear

Wyoming Wildcatters
Logo T-Shirt

Casper, Wyoming is a long way from Madison Square Garden or the Fabulous Forum, but the men of the Continental Basketball Associations’ Wyoming Wildcatters were just a phone call away from the NBA during the 1980’s. 
This Wildcatters logo tee is available now from American Retro Apparel in sizes small through XXXL today!
 
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!

 

Background

The Casper-based Wyoming Wildcatters played six seasons in the Continental Basketball Association. The CBA was the official developmental league of the NBA during much of the 1980’s.   The club advanced the the CBA championship series twice, in 1984 and 1988, and lost both times to the Albany Patroons.  That 1984 Patroons team was coached by future 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson.

The Wildcatters run to the 1988 CBA Finals was particularly unlikely.  Team owner John O’Donnell ran into financial problems and turned the club over to the league on March 1, 1988.  The Wildcatters lost 20 of their final 23 regular season games but slipped into the playoffs thanks to the CBA’s generous postseason set-up.  Then the Wildcatters inexplicably got hot and defeated the La Crosse Catbirds and Rockford Lightning to advance to the finals against Albany.  Although Albany (48-6) had one of the great minor league clubs of all-time that season, the Wildcatters took them all the way to Game 7, before losing the deciding match in New York.

The owner-less Wildcatters went out of business as soon as Game 7 ended.

Satin Jacket from the Wyoming Wildcatters of the Continental Basketball Association

 

Wyoming Wildcatters Shop

OUR FAVORITE STUFF

Continental Basketball Association
Logo T-Shirt

This Old School Shirts release is strictly for the hardcore hoop heads. 
Before the NBA had the G-League, it had the CBA with teams stretched from Puerto Rico to Honolulu. During the CBA’s 1980’s and 90’s heyday, the league provided a launching pad for future NBA All-Stars such as John Starks and  Michael Adams as well as coaching legends Phil Jackson and George Karl. 
 
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!

 

 

 

Wyoming Wildcatters Video

1988 CBA Championship Series Game One. Wildcatters at the Albany Patroons on ESPN.

 

 

In Memoriam

Former Wildcatters owner & team President Tom Hedges passed away on April 8, 1999 at the age of 59.

 

Links

Continental Basketball Association Media Guides

Continental Basketball Association Programs

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Comments

3 Responses

  1. I was on the Wildkittens dance team. We had so much fun. I’m currently hoping to find some footage of the dance team.

  2. When I was a kid Boot Bond rented a house in Casper Wyoming from my parents. I got to meet him in person and watched him play. Great guy.

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