Jersey Express
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| Founded | 2005 |
|---|---|
| League | ABA 2005-present |
| Team history | Newark Express 2005-2007 Jersey Express 2007-present |
| Based in | Newark, New Jersey |
| Arena | Essex County College (2005-2007) Baldwin Gymnasium, Drew University (2007) East Orange Campus High School, Centenary College of New Jersey (2012-2013) Malcolm X Shabazz High School (2013-2014) Wayne YMCA (2014-present) |
| Colors | Red, White |
| Owner | Marsha Blount |
| Head coach | Ray Ortiz |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 5 |
The Jersey Express is a team in the American Basketball Association based in East Orange, New Jersey. The team was formed in 2005 as the Newark Express. Marsha Blount (President) is the owner of the team. The team previously played at the gym at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey, Drew University, and at the Centenary College of New Jersey gymnasium. They are now playing their home games at the Wayne YMCA in Wayne, New Jersey.
Inaugural Season (2005-2006)
The Express ended the regular season on March 5, 2006, after losing an away game to the Buffalo Rapids. Their record for the regular season was 14-16 and they finished third in the Roger Brown Division behind the Harlem Strong Dogs and the Strong Island Sound. They had a bye week for the first round of the playoffs. They played on March 17, 2006, in Atlanta against their second round opponent, the Atlanta Vision.
The Express started the season with star players Aswan Morris, Rasheed Sparks, Jamie Sowers and Derek Washington and Marcus Toney-El from the Jersey SkyCats. The Head Coach of the team in their first season was Darryl Dawkins. Former Newark Mayor, Sharpe James, and the city council gave money to the team and became an official sponsor during their inaugural season.
The Newark Express had a small number (100-250 fans on average) at their games, but there was more loyalty and noise among the fans toward the end of the season. The team had mentioned the possibility of moving to a larger arena in the future. Although the Prudential Center was completed in 2007, the low attendance prevented the team from using the arena.
The Newark Express season ended with a loss against the top ranked Rochester Razorsharks 126-98 on March 19, 2006 in the second round of the playoffs. The Razorsharks went on to win the 2005-2006 ABA Championship.
Second Season (2006-2007)
Ron Moore
The Express hired Ron Moore, a Brooklyn native and former New York Knick to serve as head coach beginning in November 2006. At the end of November 2006, Ron Moore resigned from the Express and was replaced by co-owner Marsha Blount, who will serve as interim head coach.[1]
Third Season (2007-08)
The team announced they have changed their name to the Jersey Express and have relocated to Madison in Morris County.[2] They will now be playing at the Baldwin Gymnasium at Drew University.[3]
References
- ^ Express names Marsha Blount head coach, accessed December 4, 2006
- ^ [1] ABALive.com
- ^ "JERSEY EXPRESS HOME VENUE - DREW UNIVERSITY", American Basketball Association press release dated June 29, 2007. Accessed July 13, 2007.
