New ownership for Storm keeps team in Enid
October 12, 2005 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Oklahoma Storm News Release
Milford, CT "" (October 12, 2005) The United States Basketball League (USBL) has sold its Oklahoma Storm franchise to a group of local investors that will keep professional basketball in the Enid community. The Storm will play their home games at the Mark Price Arena for the 2006 season.
"The USBL is proud to have such a large group with so many local people involved in Oklahoma,"Â USBL Director of Operations Ed Krinsky said. "The Storm will begin the 2006 season as a model franchise in the USBL."Â
The new ownership of the team, Oklahoma Storm, LLC, is comprised of a group of investors, many of whom are rooted in the Enid community. Tony Contway, one of the team's new owners commented, "Our goal is to keep the Storm in Enid, we have dedicated ourselves to this team for years to come."Â
The Storm has now turned their attention towards preparing for the 2006 season. The next step for the franchise is to hire a full-time General Manager that will handle the day-to-day operations of the team year round. "Our immediate plans include selling season tickets and corporate sponsors while we look for a General Manager for the Storm,"Â stated Randy Wagner, part owner of the Storm. The renewed enthusiasm and optimism within the community is already evident, as the team has already processed 125 season tickets orders for the 2006 season.
Last season, the Oklahoma Storm made it into the semifinals of the Post Season Championship tournament after winning the Midwestern Division title during the regular season with an 18-12 record. Several players from the 2005 Oklahoma Storm were among those honored with post-season accolades. University of Tulsa alum, Eric Coley, was named the USBL Defensive Player of the Year. Ebi Ere, a product of Oklahoma University, was named to the All-USBL First Team while teammate and Oklahoma State University alum, Joe Adkins, was named to the All-USBL Second Team.
"On the court you will see most, if not all of the 2005 team back in 2006,"Â said Jim Harris, another part owner in the team.
The Ownership group consists of: Dr. Edward Barns, Dennis and Tammy Beard, Jay Boyer, Kenny and Robbi Butler, Tony and Lori Contway, Bryan Gates, Jim and Peggy Harris, Seth Jenkins, Dale and Leslie Murphy, LD and Carolyn Rapp, Verlin and Sue Smith, Randy and Carolyn Wagner, Brad Waken, Keith Waken, Dusty Wood and Bill and Jerry Zaloudek.
The 2006 season marks the 21st season of play in the USBL. Regular season action will begin in mid April of 2006. Tickets are already on sale, be sure to call the Oklahoma Storm office at 580-23-STORM to reserve your seats today.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE OKLAHOMA STORM OWNERSHIP GROUP
Dr. Edward Barns "" Dr. Barns is an ear, nose and throat surgeon for Intregis Bass Hospital. He is the father of three children, Colton (13), Brendan (10), and Mikalea (8)
Dennis and Tammy Beard "" Dennis is a wheat farmer; Tammy has worked for Intregis Bass Hospital in practice management for the past 11 years. Dennis and Tammy have four children and two grandchildren.
Kenny and Robbi Butler "" Kenny owns and operators his own aerial spraying company and Robbi runs her own bookkeeping business. Their son Matt is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University and has worked for the Storm the past 2 years.
Jay Boyer "" Jay is the Enid Branch Manager for First State of Pond Creek. He also is a 1990 graduate of Pond Creek High School and 1994 graduate from Oklahoma State.
Tony and Lori Contway "" Tony is the owner of Tiger Pawn and Jewelry. Lori is a legal assistant for Field Trojan Long and Sedbrook Law Firm. Tony and Lori have four children.
Bryan Gates "" Bryan has been the head coach Oklahoma Storm for 3 years.
Jim and Peggy Harris "" Jim is the co-owner of Baker and Harris Insurance. Peggy teaches English at Enid High School. Jim, Peggy and their three daughters are all graduates of Oklahoma State University. They also have 5 grandchildren.
Seth Jenkins "" Seth is the co-owner of Jenkins and Price Inc. He is a 1984 graduate of Enid High School. Seth has two children Gabriella (16) and Sebastian (1).
Dale and Leslie Murphy "" Dale and Leslie own and operate 7 furniture stores in Oklahoma including Rest and Recline, Casa Mexico, Comfort Zone and Home Trends in Enid. Dale and Leslie have two children Leland (4) Allie (2).
LD and Carolyn Rapp "" LD is the owner of Rapp Insurance. Carolyn teaches Science at Enid High School. They are the parents of three daughters which have all attended the University of Oklahoma.
Verlin and Sue Smith - Sue is the General Manager for Jack Davis Inc and is involved in commercial and residential real estate. Verlin is retired from Jack Davis Inc.
Randy and Carolyn Wagner "" Randy and Carolyn are owners of Wagner Law Firm and have two children Reece (10) and Regan (7)
Brad Waken "" Brad is the General Manager of the Oakwood Mall. He is a 1978 graduate of Enid High and is also a graduate of Oklahoma State University. Brad has three children, Alex (18), Carli (16), and John (11).
Keith Waken "" Keith is the Retail Marketing Director for Hammer Williams Company. He is a 1976 graduate of Enid High and is also a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has three children, Elizabeth, Sam (6) and Anna (5).
Dusty Wood "" Dusty is the President and Founder Downtown Autoplex.
Bill and Jerry Zaloudek "" Bill is the President of the Bank of Kremlin.
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