Spirits of St. Louis Team History
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
Coach
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
