The Quad City Thunder was a Continental Basketball Association (CBA) franchise that was based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. They played in the CBA from the 1987–88 season until the CBA folded in 2001. The Thunder were successful on the court, capturing CBA championships in the 1993–94 and 1997–98 seasons, and runner-up in the 1990–91 season. The Thunder played in Moline, Illinois, first at Wharton Field House before moving to the new MARK of the Quad Cities in 1993.

History The Thunder first began play at the Wharton Field House in Moline, Illinois, (former home of the NBA's Tri-Cities Blackhawks) in the 1987–88 season, with 6,047 fans attending the first home game. The Thunder were the first professional basketball franchise in the Quad Cities since the Tri-Cities Blackhawks moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1953.the411online.com Initially a great success in the CBA, the Thunder struggled with attendance towards the end of their existence, especially with competition from their co-tenants at the Mark, the Quad City Mallards hockey team. The Thunder folded when the CBA ceased operations following the 2000–01 season.The411online.com

Championship seasons 1993–1994 The 1993–1994 team went 34–22 under Dan Panaggio. They swept through the playoffs. They first defeated the Rochester Renegades in overtime of a playoff play-in in Bismarck, N.D. They then defeated the Grand Rapids Hoops 4–1 in best-of-seven second round; Defeated the La Crosse Catbirds 4–0 in conference finals.

Finally, the Thunder defeated the Omaha Racers 4–1, winning last three on road to claim franchise’s first league title. The Thunder won the opener in double overtime after Tate George tied the game with last-second buckets at both the end of regulation and of the first overtime. The Thunder then lost the second game in triple overtime, but won three straight in Omaha, the last in overtime.

Chris Childs averaged 17.4 points and 8.5 assists in the playoffs, was the Finals MVP and went on to the National Basketball Association. Other key players were Harold Ellis 21.4ppg, Tate George 16.4, Bobby Martin 13.6, Barry Mitchell 13.0, Matt Fish 7.1RPG, Ashraf Amaya 6.9, and Cedric Henderson 6.1.Qcthunder.Com

1997–1998

The 1997–98 Thunder finished 38–18 under Dan Panaggio. In the playoffs they swept the La Crosse Catbirds in three games and defeated the Rockford Lightning in five games.

In the CBA Finals, they won a deciding seventh at home over the Sioux Falls Skyforce to capture their second CBA Championship. Key players were: Jimmy King 16.4ppg, Jeff McInnis 14.9ppg, Alvin Sims 13.6ppg, Doug Smith 12.8ppg, Willie Burton 11.6, Byron Houston 8.7Rpg, and Barry Sumpter. King won league MVP, McInnis was Newcomer of the Year, Sims became the Thunder’s first Rookie of the Year and Dan Panaggio won his second Coach of the Year award.

Misc Notes

The Thunder and their fans enjoyed a spirited rivalry with the Rockford Lightning.

The Thunder's mascot was Thor, the Norse god of thunder.

Hall of Fame player George Gervin played for the Thunder during the 1989–90 season in a brief comeback attempt. His tenure highlighted by the December 13, 1989 matchup against his brother Derrick Gervin and his Santa Barbara team. In that game, George scored 43 points and Derrick 39 in a Thunder record 172-122 victory.

In 1992, history was made when, for the first time in the 45-year history of U.S. professional basketball, a father and son opposed one another as head coaches. Former Thunder Coach Mauro Panaggio went head to head against son Dan Panaggio when Mauro's Rockford Lightning played Dan's Quad City Thunder.

From 2002-04 five former Thunder players/coaches/staffers were with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers simultaneously. Jeff McInnis (player), Maurice Cheeks (Head Coach), Dan Panaggio (assistant coach), Dave Cohen (Director of Sales) and Joe Bivona (Director of Game Operations).

Quad City Thunder Personnel

Franchise Owners +NameSeasonsAnne Potter DeLong1987–1997Jay Gellerman1997–1999Isiah Thomas1999–2000Matt Berglund2000–2001

Franchise General Managers +#NameSeasons1Rich McArdle1987–19932Ed DeLong1993–19943Jim Meenan1995–19964Casey Kahler1996–19975Mike Weindruch1997–19996Fred Radunzel1999–20007Kim Evans2000–2001

Franchise Coaches

# Name Term Regular season Playoffs Achievements Reference GC W L Win% GC W L Win%1Mauro Panaggio1987–199122013288.600331518.4552Dan Panaggio1991–2000404313191.775714130.5783Bob Thornton2000–200121813.0070–––

Thunder CBA Most Valuable Player +YearPlayerPositionReference1992Barry MitchellForwardContinental Basketball Association – Hoopedia1993Derek StrongPower Forward1998Jimmy KingShooting Guard2000Jeff McInnisPoint Guard/Shooting Guard

Thunder NBA Callups 1988–89 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceKevin GambleShooting Guard/Small ForwardBoston CelticsBill JonesSmall ForwardNew Jersey NetsAnthony BowieShooting Guard/Small ForwardSan Antonio SpursCorey GainesShooting GuardNew Jersey NetsBarry SumpterPower ForwardLos Angeles Clippers 1989–90 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamsReference Nate JohnstonPower Forward/Small ForwardPortland Trail Blazers, Utah JazzKenny GattisonPower Forward/ CenterCharlotte Hornets 1990–91 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReference A. J. WynderPoint GuardBoston CelticsTony HarrisShooting GuardPhiladelphia 76ers 1991–92 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceSteve SchefflerCenter/Power ForwardSacramento KingsAnthony BowieShooting Guard/Small ForwardOrlando Magic 1992–93 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceDerek StrongPower ForwardMilwaukee Bucks 1993–94 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReference Harold EllisShooting GuardLos Angeles ClippersMorlon WileyMiami Heat 1994–95 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamsReferenceGreg SuttonPoint GuardCharlotte HornetsKevin PritchardPhiladelphia 76ers, Miami HeatRandolph KeysSmall Forward/Shooting GuardLos Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee BucksTate GeorgePoint GuardMilwaukee Bucks 1995–96 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceKevin PritchardPoint GuardWashington Bullets 1996–97 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceJoe CourtneyPower ForwardPhiladelphia 76ersErick StricklandPoint Guard/Power ForwardDallas MavericksRich ManningCenter/Power ForwardLos Angeles ClippersJimmy KingShooting GuardDenver NuggetsMatt SteigengaSmall ForwardChicago Bulls 1997–98 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceLitterial GreenPoint GuardMilwaukee BucksWillie BurtonSmall ForwardSan Antonio Spurs 1998–99 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceJ.R. HendersonPower Forward/CenterVancouver GrizzliesJeff McInnisPoint Guard/Shooting GuardWashington Wizards 1999–00 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReferenceJeff McInnisPoint Guard/Shooting GuardLos Angeles ClippersMaceo BastonPower ForwardMilwaukee BucksJamel ThomasShooting Guard/Small ForwardBoston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers 2000–01 +PlayerPositionNBA TeamReference John CokerCenterGolden State Warriors

1988–89 Kevin Gamble, Boston Bill Jones, New Jersey Anthony Bowie, San Antonio Corey Gaines, New Jersey Barry Sumpter, L.A. Clippers

1989–90 Nate Johnston, Portland, Utah Kenny Gattison, Charlotte

1990–91 A. J. Wynder, Boston Tony Harris, Philadelphia

1991–92 Steve Scheffler, Sacramento Anthony Bowie, Orlando

1992–93 Derek Strong, Milwaukee

1993–94 Harold Ellis, L.A. Clippers Morlon Wiley, Miami

1994–95 Greg Sutton, Charlotte Kevin Pritchard, Philadelphia, Miami Randolph Keys, Lakers, Milwaukee Tate George, Milwaukee

1995–96 Kevin Pritchard, Washington

1996–97 Joe Courtney, Philadelphia Erick Strickland, Dallas Rich Manning, L.A. Clippers Jimmy King, Denver Matt Steigenga, Chicago

1997–98 Litterial Green, Milwaukee Willie Burton, San Antonio

1998–99 J.R. Henderson, Vancouver Jeff McInnis, Washington

1999-00 Jeff McInnis, L.A. Clippers Maceo Baston, Milwaukee Jamel Thomas, Boston, Portland

2000–01 John Coker, Golden State .

Quad City Thunder All-Time Roster

References

External links http://www.qcthunder.com/