In 1985, La Crosse joined the Continental Basketball Association. Formed in 1947, the CBA was two months older than the National Basketball League.
The CBA started as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League, expanding to become the Eastern Basketball Association. After adding a team from Alaska, the league changed the name one final time to the Continental Basketball Association. As the CBA, the league truly became continental, playing 14 teams from 14 states.
The La Crosse Catbirds originated in Louisville, Ky., in 1983. They played as the Louisville Catbirds for two seasons before the team was bought by Norm Gillette and D.B. Reinhart in 1985 and moved to La Crosse. In the first five years in La Crosse, the Catbirds led the CBA in attendance, averaging more than 4,500 fans at the La Crosse Center. La Crosse was a training ground for NBA head coach Flip Saunders, who was known for leading the Minnesota Timberwolves and died in 2015. The Catbirds were one of the CBA’s longest-running teams.
The Catbirds were in La Crosse for nine seasons, from 1985 to 1994. Of the 84 teams that played during the CBA’s height, 1979 to 2001, only five teams lasted longer in one city than the La Crosse Catbirds. The La Crosse Bobcats were La Crosse’s second CBA team and lasted five seasons, from 1996 to 2001. La Crosse was home to a CBA team for 14 seasons.
La Crosse is one of six cities that has brought home two championships, one in the 1989-90 season and another in the 1991-92 season, beating the Rapid City Thrillers both times. Catbirds were defeated in the championship once in 1985. La Crosse’s later team, the Bobcats, made it to the championships in 1999, losing to the Yakima Sun Kings.
The Catbirds were sold to a Pittsburgh businessman after the 1993-94 season. They were renamed the Pittsburgh Piranhas and had a stellar first season in Pennsylvania, making it to the championship game in the 1994-95 season. The team only lasted that first season outside of La Crosse, folding due to lack of attendance in 1995.
Kay and Larry Wagner were season ticket holders of the La Crosse Catbirds. Over the course of years, Kay and her husband Larry attended every home game of the Catbirds and many away games. Kay and her husband Larry were also members of the Catbird Club, where they would socialize with other fans prior to the game and mingle with players, coaches, and the Feathers after the games. Kay was asked to serve on the Ambassadors Committee that oversaw several aspects of the Catbirds’ operations, including social affairs and events. Every Ambassador proudly wore a white cardigan to each game and event. Kay and her husband personally hosted the team at their home for Thanksgiving and other occasions during the team tenure. In 2019, Kay donated her collection of La Crosse Catbirds items to the La Crosse County Historical Society. All of the items on this page were donated by Kay Wagner.
Kay as a La Crosse Catbirds Ambassador
Kay Wagner was a La Crosse Catbirds Ambassador. Every Ambassador wore a white sweater to each game and event. The Ambassadors oversaw several aspects of the Catbirds’ operations, including social affairs and events.
Members of the La Crosse Catbird Club
Kay and her husband Larry were also members of the Catbird Club, where they would socialize with other fans prior to the game and mingle with players, coaches, and the Feathers after the games.
La Crosse Catbirds Season Programs
1992 CBA Championship
As season ticket holders, Larry & Kay Wagner received commemorative rings from the 1992 Catbirds CBA Championship.
Photos taken after the 1992 Championship Game.
Catbirds Photo Gallery
