ST. JOSEPH – The new ABA Professional Basketball Expansion Team, The Lake Michigan Admirals, will be making their debut in St. Joseph on Saturday, Nov. 28
A free community celebration titled ‘Meet the Admirals’ is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The event, to be held in the basketball gym in St. Joseph High, will feature the Admirals in an exciting Black and Gold two-quarter exhibition game, with performances by The Detroit Pistons Drumline, the Lady Admirals Dance and Gymnastics Squad
The Admirals team mascot ‘The Admiral’ will also be on hand, along with an appearance by the Class A state champion Lady Tigers from Benton Harbor.

The 90-minute event will be emceed by Al Pascholka and Congressman Fred Upton will be on hand to throw the honorary jump ball.

The ABA, which existed from 1967 to 1976, became defunct after fighting a bitter war with the NBA. The ABA featured dazzling above-the-rim players like Julius (“Dr. J”) Erving, Connie Hawkins, George (“Ice”) Gervin, Moses Malone and Dan (the “Horse”) Issel.

In June of 1976 the two rival leagues made peace and four of the strongest ABA teams (the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs) joined the NBA and survived. The other remaining ABA teams vanished, along with the league itself. Now the ABA that merged with the NBA in 1976 is back, with its red, white and blue basketball and high-flying, exciting players.

Re-launched as ABA 2000, the league has continued to expand the number of its current teams and the size of its audience. In its 2008-2009 season the ABA has over 30 active teams in cities such as Atlanta, Nashville, San Diego, Knoxville, San Francisco, and now St. Joe/Benton Harbor Michigan.

The Lake Michigan Admirals will play 15 action-packed home games this season at Lake Michigan Catholic School and Benton Harbor High School.

Home games will feature area mascot races, musical performances, dance groups, light shows, free throw contests, area charity awareness nights and all the unique and exciting entertainment needed to provide a fun, family friendly experience this winter.

A full game schedule can be viewed on www.lakemichiganadmirals.com.

Season tickets are available by emailing info@lakemichiganadmirals.com or by calling (269) 208-3397.