Wisconsin Flyers - Omaha Racers

Omaha Racers

Under head coach Mike Thibault, the Omaha Racers went 29-27 in 1989-90 and made the CBA playoffs in the National Conference, where they lost to the San Jose Jammers in the first round. It was the first post-season appearance for the franchise since Detroit swept them in the 1984-1985 Western Division final. The 1990-91 Racers would have the best record in franchise history (39-17), but lost to Quad City in the American Conference finals. Moving back to the National Conference in 1991-92, Omaha finished second in the Northern Division (37-19) to Rapid City. After defeating the Oklahoma City Cavalry in the second round of the playoffs, the Racers lost to the Thrillers in the conference finals, 3 games to 2. The 1992-93 Racers finally made it to the top, after finishing second in the Northern Division (28-28) again to Rapid City. Omaha beat the Wichita Falls Texans in the first round, then slipped past Rapid City in a five-game conference final. In the CBA championship, Omaha defeated the Grands Rapids Hoops in six games. A 106-98 win on May 1, 1993 in Grand Rapids would be the highwater mark of the franchise. Rapid City finished ahead of Omaha (30-26) in the Northern Division for the third straight year in 1993-94. Omaha made it back to the CBA finals, after defeating the Tri-City Chinook in round one and Rapid City in the conference finals. The Quad City Thunder defeated Omaha in five games to win the league title. Omaha (26-30) moved to the Southern Division in 1994-95 and finished second to Oklahoma City. They beat the Sioux Falls SkyForce in the first round, but fell to Oklahoma City in the second round. Thibault missed seven games as head coach, being replaced by Eric Chapman, as he coached the US in the 1995 Pan American games in Argentina. Omaha (28-28) moved back to the Northern Division of the National Conference in 1995-96, and finished second again, this time to Sioux Falls. The Florida Beachdogs swept the Racers out of the playoffs in round one. With the CBA shrinking to 11 teams in 1996-97, Omaha was placed in the 5-team National Conference and finished in fourth place (22-34). In one of the biggest upsets in CBA playoff history, the Racers defeated Sioux Falls (47-9) in five games, winning the clincher in South Dakota, 98-92. Oklahoma City brought them back down to earth, winning the conference finals, 3 games to 1. It proved to be the last hurrah for the franchise. With a record of 375-413, plus a 42-49 mark in the playoffs, and one CBA title (1992-1993), the Wisconsin Flyers-Rochester Flyers-Omaha Racers franchise was declared inactive in the summer of 1997. At the time, there was some faint hope that the franchise may start up again in 1998-99. The two teams who had the made the CBA finals in 1997, Oklahoma City and Florida, also folded.