skip navigation

Swarm hire Daleo as first coach

By Craig Fata, 11/13/14, 7:30PM CST

Share

International veteran, CBA Coach of the Year to help build franchise

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2014
Contact:   Craig Fata, Vice President
(844) THE-MPBA / craig.fata@theMPBA.com

 

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Swarm have hired veteran professional coach Chris Daleo as the first head coach in the club’s history, the team announced today.

                    Since 2008, Daleo has been serving as the Director of Operations for the El Salvador Basketball League and as a global consultant for the Korea Basketball League.  From 2006-2008, he was the head coach and general manager for the Minot (N. Dak.) Skyrockets of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where his 62% winning percentage is the fifth-highest in league history.

                    “We’re fortunate to have found a coach with Chris Daleo’s ability and background,” said Jim Sheppard, General Manager for the Swarm.  “I have no doubt that he will be the right fit for our team and for our community, and that he will help me to build a successful franchise from the ground up.”

                    Prior to his stint with the Skyrockets, Daleo was the head coach and general manager from 2002-2006 for the Rockford (Ill.) Lightning in the CBA, where he won Coach of the Year honors in 2003.  Under his guidance, the Lightning won conference championships in 2003 and 2005, and his .699 winning percentage is the highest in team history.

                    While with Rockford, Daleo was selected to coach the conference All-Star Team three times, and was the head coach of a U.S. team that toured China in 2004, 2005 and 2006.  Following the 2006 season, Daleo was picked to be one of eight coaches in the Treviso (Italy) Summer League.

                    Daleo’s first head coaching position was with Barat College, where he worked from 1999-2002.  His 2002 team made the NAIA Division 1 Final Four, earning him NAIA Division 1 Coach of the Year honors.

                    “I'm excited to get started, and honored to work with Jim Sheppard and the MPBA,” said Daleo.  “The challenge of building a team from scratch is very exciting, and I fully embrace the opportunity to develop young players, and to bring a championship to the City of Champaign.”                                                                                         

-###-

The mission of the MPBA is to attract the top minor league basketball players, coaches, owners and staff members from across the United States, and to provide that talent with the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional environment; the MPBA will also provide its fans and supporters with a fun, value-based entertainment experience, as well as incorporate community outreach programs into its members’ operations.