League NBA Development League Ownership Steve Demetriou Arena Erie Insurance Arena Founded 2008 | Location Erie, Pennsylvania Affiliation(s) Orlando Magic Head coach Bill Peterson Championships 0 | |
 | ||
History Erie BayHawks
2008–present
Lakeland, Florida, in 2017 Team colors Red, gold, black, white Profiles | ||
No 1 pick anthony brown drops 38 points in erie bayhawks debut
The Erie BayHawks are a professional basketball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They are part of the NBA Development League (D-League), which is the National Basketball Association's official minor league. The team was established in 2008 as an expansion team, originally affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2014, they entered a three-year affiliation agreement with the Orlando Magic. On December 14, 2016, it was announced that the Magic had bought the Erie BayHawks franchise and intend to relocate it to Lakeland, Florida, prior to the 2017–18 season. The BayHawks organization will continue to operate using the Atlanta Hawks D-League franchise for at least two seasons until their new arena is completed in College Park, Georgia.
Contents
- No 1 pick anthony brown drops 38 points in erie bayhawks debut
- History
- Logos and uniforms
- NBADL All Rookie Second Team
- All NBADL First Team
- All NBADL Third Team
- NBADL All Defensive Second Team
- All Star Game
- Affiliates
- References
The "BayHawks" name alludes to the Presque Isle Bay, on which Erie lies. The hawk represents the city's wildlife and naval history, especially because hawks were used by naval expeditions to send important messages. The team's colors of black, red, and gold pay homage to the Erie-based Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and to the United States Navy uniforms worn during the War of 1812.
History
The Erie BayHawks made headlines on January 17, 2012, when Jeremy Lin was assigned to the team. On January 20, he had a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in the BayHawks' 122–113 victory over the Maine Red Claws. Lin was recalled by the Knicks three days later. In December 2012, the Knicks assigned NBA veteran Amar'e Stoudemire to the BayHawks because of an injury.
In 2012, the Knicks offered the BayHawks head coach position to Patrick Ewing, one of their most prominent alumni. However, he turned down the offer citing his desire to coach in the National Basketball Association as opposed to the D-League. Ewing has worked as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) officially partnered with the Erie BayHawks in 2008. As part of the deal, LECOM is the team's official presenter and medical provider. Additionally, the school's name is featured on the BayHawks' jerseys and court design. In September 2012, the BayHawks extended their partnership with LECOM to 2018. Furthermore, they will continue to work out and practice at the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center.
In 2014, the Knicks ended their affiliation with Erie in favor of starting an expansion D-League franchise, the Westchester Knicks, forcing the BayHawks to find a new affiliate. In April 2014, the BayHawks entered talks for a hybrid relationship with the Orlando Magic and a deal was announced May 19, 2014.
In January 2016, the Magic announced their intentions to have their own D-League team in Florida but stated that it would be an expansion team and not a relocation of the BayHawks. However, in December 2016, the Magic purchased the BayHawks and announced they would be relocating the team to Lakeland, Florida, for the 2017–18 season, becoming the seventeenth NBA team to own a D-League franchise. In response to the purchase, the BayHawks' local management and former owners also announced that they are attempting to secure another franchise to replace the now Magic-owned BayHawks franchise to play in Erie.
In January 2017, it was announced that the Atlanta Hawks would temporarily place their D-League affiliate in Erie for the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons under the operations of the Erie BayHawks. The Atlanta Hawks had already announced their intentions of placing their D-League team in College Park, Georgia, for the 2019–20 season.
Logos and uniforms
The official colors of the Erie BayHawks are red, black, and gold. The primary logo depicts a red and black hawk in flight with a gold beak and talons. The hawk is superimposed over a gold basketball and a partial, black roundel charged with the "Erie" typeface. The "BayHawks" wordmark is centered over the entire design in white letters with black outline.