Wisconsin Flyers

The Wisconsin Flyers, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, played in the Continental Basketball Association from 1982 to 1987. Killian Spanbauer, who owned a sporting goods chain, ran the team, and most home games were at the Oshkosh North High School Fieldhouse.

The coaching chair kept turning. Dave Wohl left for an assistant job in the big leagues before the first season, and Dave Harshman took over. Torchy Clark was hired but resigned before coaching a game after a dispute with the owner. Bill Klucas coached from 1983 to 1985, Joe Merten, a former player, took 1985-86, and Klucas returned for 1986-87.

The best year was 1983-84. The Flyers went 27-17, won the Western Division, beat Ohio in the semifinals, and lost the division final to Wyoming. Greg Jones was rookie of the year that season. The team made the playoffs again in 1984-85 and then missed them. Break-even was about 1,800 to 2,000 fans a game, and the 1985-86 home opener drew 1,492. With no sale and no new arena, the franchise moved to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1987.