Text Box: MAD HOPS PROVIDES GEAR TO ROCKFORD LIGHTNING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Text Box: The Lightning has had 56 NBA call-ups in its history, the most of any minor league basketball franchise. Some of those players who have gone from Rockford to the NBA include stars such as Earl Boykins (Denver), Mike James (Boston), Chris Childs (New York), Howard Eisley (Utah), Bruce Bowen (Miami), Linton Johnson (Chicago Bulls) and Desmond Ferguson (Portland Trail Blazers). Lightning General Manager, Michael Neville joked that it felt as though Christmas had come a bit early around the Lightning front office. "The players were really excited about the sweatsuits. Not only have they been wearing them to their workouts and practices but practically everywhere else they go. We figured they'd be worn for game travel only but obviously that doesn't seem to be the case." Neville said, "We really appreciate the work MAD HOPS had done for our team. We believe they are the next up-and-coming basketball apparel company and we wanted to be a part of it. The suits look great and our guys are certainly proud to wear them." Mad Hops will also make Lightning replica sweats available for sale on its website very soon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Text Box: November 2005 marked the 60th Anniversary season of play in the CBA. The Continental Basketball Association is the oldest professional basketball league in the world. Formed on April 23, 1946, it preceded the National Basketball Association by a month and a half. In its early days, the league was known as the Eastern League, and later the Eastern Basketball Association. In the 1950’s, with only eight NBA teams, the Eastern League was a mecca for the great players who could not crack one of only 80 NBA roster spots. On August 26, 1978, the league’s Board of Directors renamed the league the Continental Basketball Association. The change was made because of the league’s new commitment to expanding the association from one end of the continent to the other. Through it’s colorful 59 seasons, the CBA has evolved from relative obscurity to its present-day position as a major force in professional basketball.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
   
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