Oklahoma City has rich sports history
By Matt Bishop, Editor
Although Oklahoma City is getting its first major professional sports team, it has had its share of other pro teams who have excelled and been considered among the most successful franchises in their respective leagues.
In 2005 when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Oklahoma City embraced the displaced New Orleans Hornets.
Of the 70 games the Hornets played in Oklahoma City, 31 were sell-outs.
In 2005-06, average attendance the games in Oklahoma City was more than 18,000 and ranked ninth in the league
Oklahoma City also has embraced their Central Hockey League team. The Blazers were founded in 1992 and have been considered one of the most successful minor league hockey teams in history.
The Blazers won two CHL championships, in 1996 and 2001, as well as nine division titles, including seven straight from 1996 to 2003.
The average Blazers game draws approximately 8,000 fans and has drawn a better fan base in seasons than some National Hockey League franchises.
Blazers’ great “Smokin” Joe Burton and Hardy Sauter are the CHL’s first and third all-time leading scorers respectively, with Burton being the fourth leading scorer in minor league hockey history.
The Oklahoma Redhawks are the city’s minor league baseball team. Founded in 1962, originally named the 89ers, the team got a new look in 1997 with the new name of Redhawks and a new ball park located in the heart of Bricktown.
Fan support is always high, and the Redhawks have had their taste of success over the years.
The franchise has won three league titles and nine division titles, four of which have come since the move to the Bricktown Ballpark.
Oklahoma City has gained an arena football-2 team, the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, and even has a women’s professional football team, the Lightning.
Oklahoma City also has seen a Continental Basketball Association team back in the 1990s called the Calvary.
The Calvary played in Oklahoma City from 1990 to 1997, also winning a championship.
The Cavalry was the cornerstone of several “soon-to-be” NBA stars of the 1990s including Voshon Lenard, Sam Mack and John Starks.
It is evident Oklahoma City sports fanatics have been supportive and produced successful franchises in its history.
Editor Matt Bishop can be reached at editor@occc.edu.
