Jacksonville Jam owner wasting his money

Photo: Jacksonville Jam Coach Mike Gillespie and several former FAMU and MVSU players may soon become unemployed due to the failure of the Jam owners to cover payroll and travel expenses of the team.

When Jacksonville Jam owner Felix Krupczynski decided to bring the umpteenth minor-league pro basketball franchise to this city, I publicly warned him that he was throwing money away. He brought the Jam here anyway and it couldn't last two seasons, in two different leagues, without running into financial problems.

If you don't have the resources to pay salaries or travel costs, why start this kind of business? Asking the Premier Basketball League to come to your rescue only makes things worse. Krupczynski claims the PBL reneged on promises to help the Jam, but isn't it the responsibility of the owner to cover expenses?

Now that the PBL has severed ties with Krupczynski midway through this season, you'd think he would pack it in for good...

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We are sorry to see the failure of this franchise as it adversely impacts former Florida A&M University coach Mike Gillespie and several former MEAC and SWAC basketball players that played at FAMU and MVSU, respectively. Hopefully, they all will land on their feet and get a true opportunity for pro basketball.

Jacksonville Jam wins with Brian Greene scoring/rebounding

Photo: Former FAMU Rattlers Brian Greene scored his first double/double with 19 points/13 rebounds in Jacksonville Jam first win of season.

The Jacksonville JAM flew up to Reading, Pa, determined to get on track after a dismal shooting performance in the home opener on Friday night. They did not disappoint as Jacksonville (1-1) shot 55% from beyond the arc to beat the Reading Railers (0-1) 104-101 on Saturday night and get its first win in the 2008 Premier Basketball League season.

In a seesaw battle that had the JAM up by four at the half, only to find themselves down by four after the third quarter, the JAM again found themselves down by four with two minutes to go.

That's when former Florida A&M University guard/forward Brian Greene took over with two baskets down the stretch and Antonio Lawrence hitting a clutch three while the JAM defense shut the door to pull out the victory.

Six JAM players were in double figures led by Brian Greene with 19 points and 13 rebounds and Jerry Williams' 16 points.

(Former FAMU) Coach Mike Gillespie was proud of his team as he earned his first win in the professional ranks. "The guys played hard tonight and the key was that we hit our shots. That's what makes the difference."

Next up for the JAM is a home game against the Arkansas Impact on Friday Jan 11 at the UNF Arena.

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-Jax Jam press release

Mike Gillespie hired as head coach Jacksonville Jam, PBL

Photo: Mike Gillespie makes final cuts on the nets after FAMU Rattlers won 2007 MEAC Tournament Championship and the conference automatic bid to NCAA Tournament.

from Jacksonville Jam Press Release

Premier Basketball League (PBL) Jacksonville Jam

Jacksonville, Fla., - The Jacksonville JAM, Jacksonville's professional basketball team announced that former Florida A&M head coach Mike Gillespie will be joining the JAM coaching staff as Head Coach for the upcoming 2007-2008 Premier Basketball League season.

"Mike Gillespie is one of the most outstanding basketball minds in the country and his presence here with the Jam will help elevate an already impressive roster that we are forming for the upcoming season." stated Jam GM Felix Krupczynski. "It is a rare opportunity to bring in the experience, drive and knowledge that someone like Coach Gillespie brings to an organization."

The Joliet, Illinois native began his impressive coaching career on the high school level in his home state, winning 223 games from 1974 through 1987. Then he moved south to Florida, beginning his college coaching career at St. Leo College (now University) in St. Leo, Florida (just north of Tampa). There, he won 26 games in two seasons (1988-89 to 1989-90), including a 15-12 mark his first year. Gillespie then moved to Tallahassee, where he built the now nationally-renowned Tallahassee Community College program from scratch. From 1991-92 to 2000-01, Gillespie spun gold in Tallahassee, guiding the Eagles to 258 wins in 10 seasons. He compiled back-to-back 30-plus win seasons in 1995-96 (30-2) and 1996-97 (35-2), and his teams were annually ranked among the nation's best junior college programs.

He then moved down the road to Division I Florida A&M, where over the last six seasons, he compiled a record of 60-64, won two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships, and made two NCAA tournament appearances in 2004 and 2007. This past season he led the Rattlers to their first 20-win season since 1989-1990.

Photo: Mike Gillespie coaching the FAMU Rattlers during timeout with Delaware State Hornets at 2007 MEAC Championship game. Gillespie took the Rattlers to two automatic bids to the NCAA Championship Tournament.

"I am extremely excited about having Coach Gillespie join our organization" stated associate head coach Scott Cooper. "I have known Coach G for over 15 years and he has been a mentor to me throughout my basketball career". "His guidance and savvy will certainly be a tremendous asset in our drive to attain a championship for the City of Jacksonville."

The Jacksonville JAM successfully launched its inaugural season in the 2006-2007 American Basketball Association. The JAM emerged on the scene as a premier sports and entertainment organization entertaining and delighting their fans throughout Jacksonville and beyond. The Jam will now tip-off their second season at the University of North Florida as a member of the Premier Basketball League.

WJXE TV-15 will now broadcast all of the JAM games throughout the season for both home and road games. The team's pre-season and regular season schedule will be released later this month. For information on season tickets, log on to www.jaxjam.com/contact/tickets.html or call 904-302-5323. For more information on the excitement and buzz being created by your Jacksonville JAM, visit us at www.jaxjam.com.