- 1974
- 1976
-
Move to St. Louis – Spirits
The Spirits (who took their name from the Atlantic Ocean-crossing plane flown by Charles Lindbergh) were the third incarnation of a franchise that began as the Houston Mavericks and later the Carolina Cougars. However, only a few players from the 1973–74 Cougars followed the team to St. Louis, so the Spirits were essentially an expansion team. -
The Worst Deal Ever Signed
After a slow start in their inaugural season, 1974 – 1975, the Spirits reached the playoffs with a late rush, then upset the defending ABA champion New York Nets in the first round of the playoffs. But the team squandered this good start the following year. Despite inheriting several players (including Malone) from the Utah Stars after that franchise failed ...
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA–NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974 – 1975 and 1975 – 1976, while playing their home games at the St. Louis Arena.
Established
1967
City
Houston – Greensboro, Charlotte, Raleigh – St. Louis – Salt Lake City
League History
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1976 / Utah Rockies (Never Played a Game)
1974 – 1976 / Spirits of St. Louis
1969 – 1974 / Carolina Cougars
1967 – 1969 / Houston Mavericks
Nickname
Spirits – Took their name from the Atlantic Ocean-crossing plane flown by Charles Lindbergh.
Championship
ABA Championships 0
Arena
*St. Louis*
1974 – 1976 / St. Louis Arena
*North Carolina*
1969 – 1974 / Greensboro Coliseum
1969 – 1974 / Bojangles’ Coliseum
1969 – 1974 / J.S. Dorton Arena (Raleigh)
*Houston*
1967 – 1969 / Sam Houston Coliseum
Owner
1974 – 1976 / Ozzie Silna and Daniel Silna
1969 – 1974 / Southern Sports Corporation
1967 – 1969 / T. C. Morrow
Coaches
1976 / Joe Mullaney
1975 / Rod Thorn
1974 – 1975 / Bob MacKinnon
1972 – 1974 / Larry Brown
1971 – 1972 / Tom Meschery
1971 / Jerry Steele
1970 – 1971 / Bones McKinney
1968 – 1969 / Art Becker and Jim Weaver
1967 – 1968 / Slater Martin and Art Becker
*Blue is this team’s history