First ABA-team reunion to be held in Virginia Beach this summer with the Virginia Squires

February 20, 2014

Virginia Beach will host the first-ever ABA team reunion with the beloved Virginia Squires. The Squires were the first professional team based in Hampton Roads. The Virginia Squires Legends Reunion will be held May 1 and 2, 2014.
The Squires moved to Virginia in 1970 after spending one year in Washington, D.C. as the Washington Capitals (1969-70), and two years in Oakland as the Oakland Oaks (1967-69). The Squires were a regional franchise and played in several Virginia cities: Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, and Roanoke. The 1971-72 Virginia Squires were one of the most memorable teams in ABA history. They played their final season in 1975-76 and had some pretty remarkable talent.
The American Basketball Association existed for nine seasons from 1967 to 1976. During that time, the ABA challenged the established National Basketball Association (the NBA). Four of the strongest ABA teams (the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs) joined the NBA and survived after 1976. The other remaining ABA teams (the Kentucky Colonels, the Spirits of St. Louis, and the Virginia Squires) vanished, along with the ABA.
However, the ABA and the Virginia Squires are still remembered by its loyal fans. As described by the Remember the ABA website by Arthur Hundhausen, “The ABA was the "outlaw" league with the psychedelic red, white and blue basketball, outlandish promotions, and huge afros. It was the "lively" league that adopted the three-point shot -- the exciting "home run" of basketball -- as its own.”
The Virginia Squires will always be remembered for future Hall of Fame players Julius Erving and George Gervin. To date, the players who have confirmed their attendance at the reunion include:

Mike Barr 1972-74
Mack Calvin 1975-76
Jim Eakins 1968-76
Lamar Green 1974-75
George Irvine 1970-75
Neil Johnson 1970-71
Doug Moe 1968-72
Barry Parkhill 1973-75
Charlie Scott 1970-72
Ray Scott 1970-71
Fatty Taylor 1969-76
Dave Twardzik 1972-76
“The City of Virginia Beach is very pleased to be host for this extraordinary event,” said Warren D. Harris, director of the Virginia Beach Economic Development. “Our appreciation goes to Sports Inside and Out, the organizers, for all of their efforts. We know there will be tremendous interest in this reunion, and we are especially pleased to provide an opportunity to share this experience with our local business community.”
The reunion will start Thursday, May 1 at 3 p.m. where the Virginia Squires players will join 76ers legend, Wali Jones, Bobby Hunter from the Harlem Globe Trotters and Susan Sommers from the WNBA for a mini basketball clinic for area youth at the City’s new Williams Farm Recreational Center.

On Thursday evening, a Virginia Squires Legends Reunion VIP reception will be held at the Cavalier Beach Club adjacent to the Cavalier Hotel starting at 7 p.m. This is a ticketed event, and information can be obtained at https://www.facebook.com/pages.... Contact Delceno Miles for sponsorship opportunities at 757-499-9627 or email delceno@themilesagency.com .

On Friday, May 2, the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development has organized its 7th Annual Business Appreciation Charity Golf Classic at the Virginia Beach National Golf Club. The Virginia Squires will join Virginia Beach business leaders for a day of golf.
The Virginia Squires Legends Reunion proceeds will benefit a number of local charities including Sickle Cell Association, Wounded Warriors and the Virginia Beach Public School System.

The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 447,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. Virginia Beach has been recognized as 7th in Leading the Country in a Manufacturing Revival by Forbes. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi Magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.
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