Today in Wheeling History: October 12--The Pittsburgh Condors defeated the Dallas Chaparrals 120-118 in a pre-season exhibition game, marking the first professional basketball game ever played in Wheeling (1971).
On October 12, 1971, the Pittsburgh Condors and the Dallas Chaparrals faced off in a pre-season exhibition game at the Wheeling College Gymnasium, making it the first professional basketball game ever played in Wheeling, West Virginia. The game was a thrilling contest, with the Condors narrowly edging out the Chaparrals by a score of 120-118. This event was significant not only for the local sports community but also for the broader history of professional basketball in the region. The Pittsburgh Condors were a team in the American Basketball Association (ABA), known for their high-scoring games and innovative play style. The Dallas Chaparrals, who later became the San Antonio Spurs, were also part of the ABA and had a strong following. The game in Wheeling was part of a series of exhibition matches aimed at promoting the ABA and expanding its fan base. The Wheeling College Gymnasium provided a venue for this historic event, which drew a large crowd of enthusiastic basketball fans. The success of this game helped to establish Wheeling as a viable location for hosting professional sports events in the future.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3fwtb6vm), basketball-reference.com (https://tinyurl.com/373ja33c) (https://tinyurl.com/fdbzndbp) (https://tinyurl.com/2ekp2xau)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, October 13, 1971
On October 12, 1971, the Pittsburgh Condors and the Dallas Chaparrals faced off in a pre-season exhibition game at the Wheeling College Gymnasium, making it the first professional basketball game ever played in Wheeling, West Virginia. The game was a thrilling contest, with the Condors narrowly edging out the Chaparrals by a score of 120-118. This event was significant not only for the local sports community but also for the broader history of professional basketball in the region. The Pittsburgh Condors were a team in the American Basketball Association (ABA), known for their high-scoring games and innovative play style. The Dallas Chaparrals, who later became the San Antonio Spurs, were also part of the ABA and had a strong following. The game in Wheeling was part of a series of exhibition matches aimed at promoting the ABA and expanding its fan base. The Wheeling College Gymnasium provided a venue for this historic event, which drew a large crowd of enthusiastic basketball fans. The success of this game helped to establish Wheeling as a viable location for hosting professional sports events in the future.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3fwtb6vm), basketball-reference.com (https://tinyurl.com/373ja33c) (https://tinyurl.com/fdbzndbp) (https://tinyurl.com/2ekp2xau)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, October 13, 1971
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