As of April 2007

In the nine years since the Idaho Stampede first thundered onto the scene in the Treasure Valley, the franchise has had its ups and downs and proved its staying power.

The Stampede began life backed by nine local businessmen with a passion for basketball and a mission to give something to the community.

“I’m kind of a self-proclaimed basketball junkie, loved basketball, have been a resident of Boise Valley all my life and have always wanted to do something for the valley,” Bill Ilett, the managing investor credited with bringing the franchise to the Treasure Valley in 1997, said in the early days of the franchise.

“I thought with the great basketball that we’ve got in the valley with the colleges and the high schools, maybe we could bring professional basketball (to the area).”

A priority for any professional sports franchise is to give its fans a winning team between the lines. Idaho, formerly in the Continental Basketball Association but now in the NBA Development League, has produced players who have shown the talent to make it in the NBA, and the club reached the playoffs in its first two seasons and the Championship in 2003-04.

In the process of trying to find a winning formula, the Stampede churned out NBA-caliber players like Ira Newble, Damon Jones, Rafer Alston, Randy Livingston and Rusty LaRue. LaRue played with the Stampede after making his mark in the NBA, but he later returned to the bigs after playing in Idaho.

The Stampede hold the record for the most promotions to the NBA in one season. Idaho sent 10 players to the show during the 1998-99 season.

Idaho also has been a stopping point for some former NBA veterans as they tried to find their spark again. Approximately 40% of all the players who have ever played for the Stampede have played in NBA before. Larry Krystkowiak, Spud Webb, Rusty LaRue and NBA All-Star Jayson Williams are just a few who have made stops in the Treasure Valley.

Rafer Alston is playing for the Houston Rockets while Ira Newble and Damon Jones are playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Josh Davis, a NBA journeyman, tasted success while playing in Idaho, named the leagues MVP while reaching the championship game with the Stampede in 2003-04 under coach Larry Krystkowiak.

And its’ not just players who are finding their way to the NBA. Rory White, who served as assistant and later head coach for the Stampede from 1999-2001 then again in 2002-03, is an assistant coach for Mike Dunleavy with the Los Angeles Clippers this season. Even members of the Stampede Spirit Dance team and the Stampede front office have advanced to the Big Show.

From basketball camps to Key Bank Reading Timeouts, Idaho’s NBA Development League franchise has been active in helping both the athletic and academic pursuits of the Treasure Valley’s youth.

And that instinct to give a helping hand extends beyond the organization itself. Team Up for Tickets has been a gateway for season-ticket holders to donate tickets that would go unused, allowing children normally unable to attend games to get in on the fun.

“It’s our responsibility to leverage our position as a sports franchise for the betterment of the Treasure Valley”, says part owner John Brunelle. “The Stampede has a lot of power to help others, and we can do it in a memorable and fun manner.”

After three years and 69 victories in the Idaho Center, the Stampede migrated to the Bank of America Centre downtown Boise for the 2000-01 season.

The move seemed to agree with the team that season. With storm clouds brewing in the CBA, coach Rory White guided Idaho to a league best 17-7 record for that season.

But with the Stampede rumbling to a breakout season, the world came crumbling down when the CBA– which had been purchased by former Detroit Pistons great Isiah Thomas a little more than a year earlier– ceased operations.

As the CBA reorganized for the 2001-02 season, the Stampede took time to reorganize and plan a return in 2002-03. John Brunelle was hired as General Manager and the franchise embarked on its return to the Idaho Center.

With White at the helm and a reorganized ownership group the Stampede posted a 17-31 record in the 2002-03 season. But the Stampede finished the year on a roll, winning four of it final five games knocking off the eventual league champion Yakima Sun Kings in the season finale.

The Stampede’s success on the court continued under the direction of Stampede’s new head coach Larry Krystkowiak during the 2003-04 season posting an overall record of 37 wins and 16 losses. Krystkowiak led the team to win its first playoff series in franchise history advancing them to the CBA championship game. Unfortunately, the Stampede lost the Championship road game by only three points.

At the end of the 2003-04 season Coach Krystkowiak took a head coaching job at his alma-mater, the University of Montana. So, the Stampede hired another NBA veteran, Joe Wolf to become their fifth head coach. Coach Wolf has posted a 48-48 record over the last two seasons and produced the CBA Most Valuable Player, CBA Defensive Player of the year and four CBA to NBA call-ups.

The 2006-07 season brought new excitement to the air as the Stampede left the CBA to join the NBA Development League. Idaho joined the NBA’s official minor league as the affiliate for the Utah Jazz and Seattle SuperSonics. The talent pool of players was awesome and NBA scouts and general managers in attendance at games was the norm throughout the season. New head coach, and longtime Stampede employee Bryan Gates guided Idaho to one of their better seasons in franchise history. The Stampede posted a 33-17 record, earning a Western Division championship, and tying with Dakota for the highest number of wins and highest winning percentage for a season in D-League history, both in their first year. Their success on the court also earned Coach Gates the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award, and Randy Livingston earned the D-League MVP award, to go along with being named on the All D-League First Team.

Idaho’s success on the court during the 2006-07 season can partly be attributed to the talent level of players in Stampede red and black. Players with NBA experience like Randy Livingston, Eddie Robinson, Peter Ramos and Luke Jackson all proudly played in the Treasure Valley this year. And the affiliation system brought in even more talent, as C.J. Miles from the Jazz and Mouhamed Sene from the Sonics, joined the Stampede for stints during the season.

The Stampede will always be known for its success off and on the court. Big nights with huge crowds, throngs of loud and energetic fans, expanded media coverage, groups of smiling children and spectacular performances by players, dancers, jugglers, and nationally-known entertainers. The past nine years have demonstrated strength and stability for the Idaho Stampede, and year number ten and beyond are sure to bring more fun and excitement!

Go Stampede!

The NBA Dream Starts Here, in the Treasure Valley!