Professional basketball gone from Elkhart County
Professional basketball gone from Elkhart County Save Email Print
Elkhart, IN
Posted: 7:32 PM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 7:41 PM Jan 5, 2009
Reporter: Nick McGurk
Email Address: nick.mcgurk@wndu.com

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The Elkhart Express, a team that won two IBL championships in three years, will fold before its fourth season. Struggling donors and the economy are to blame, according to the team's founder and coach.

Still, the Elkhart Express played winning basketball--and drew thousands of fans.

"For three years in a row, we've had the best attendance in the league," said Daimon Beathea, who founded the team. "We've been able to sustain that and average over twenty seven hundred people," Beathea said.

Ninety percent of revenue came from attendance and sponsorship, Beathea said. But he said potential sponsors have been struggling.

"In talking to some of our sponsors they just didn't have the funding," said Beathea.

That's one reason Beathea decided to file for bankruptcy. But not everyone thinks the move was necessary.

Tom Holt worked as a communication consultant for Beathea in 2007. He says he supports Beathea and the Elkhart Express, but says he thinks the team could have been managed differently.

"You've got to look at maybe cutting salaries, maybe looking at your overhead costs, raising ticket prices slightly, looking at all functions in order to keep the entity going," said Holt.

Beathea said the team could have played this year--but it wouldn't have been the same experience for fans.

"Could we put a team out there? Yeah, but it wouldn't be up to the standards that we've created here," said Beathea.

"If we go back and we cut back like everybody else, we're gonna put a product that is not worthy to be out there."

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Posted by: deedge Location: mishawaka on Jan 10, 2009 at 08:20 PM
these guys were top south bend talent. south bend eashington stars cedric moodie and homegrown clay talent lincoln glass. these guys were good, who didn;t have the opportunities in the NBA, but stayed in their hometown to represent basketball in the south bend elkhart area. someone needs to step up to the plate and keep this team alive. go ERNIE!

Posted by: Gayle Location: Elkhart on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I had season tickets each year - it was excellent basketball and good, affordable entertainment. I will miss the games, but I understand Coach Beathea's reasoning - anyone who has heard the 'dump the coach' any year a local college or high school team has a bad season knows how ruthless this area's "fans" can be. The Express was a class operation - it's disheartening to read the glee some people take in its demise.

Posted by: Collin Location: Elkhart on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:14 PM
The team was good cheap entertainment for the people that watched the games. I don't think they had to have a championship team for people to go to the games. This is not the NBA and should not be looked at in the same way.

Posted by: Pip Location: Elkhart on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:26 PM
THey worked hard and trained hard. You can't knock that.

Posted by: Michael Location: Elkhart on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Pro Team? Are you serious? They weren't good enough to make it to the NBA so they started a team. Ok, they suckered some people into investing in them so they could get paid, thats the only thing professional about these guys. I went to one game and thought it was a joke. This reminds me of that "professional" football team a few years ago up in Cassopolis that called themselves the "Dogs" or something like that. No talent!

Posted by: same Location: elkhart on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:15 PM
trips to China? Need I say more?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: South Bend on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Put a product not worthy to be out there-cutting back salaries or closing your office doesnt make your players any more or less worthy. You just got use to your champagne lifestyle with your beer budget. Your basically saying is you do not support the team unless you are getting paid a ridiculous amount of money.Great Job Daimon.

Posted by: Amy Location: South Bend on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I dont agree with Mr. Beathea. He mentioned being a waterdown product if he cut salaries. Basketball is not a product and the economy is rough. So a cut in salaries would make more sense than not have any salary at all wouldnt it?

Posted by: Shocked Location: Mishawaka, IN on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I didn't know there was a basketball team. Everyone I talked to didn't either. Maybe that's why they didn't make it? Never heard about them until they were gone.

Posted by: Mister Location: Basketball on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I could beat them with one hand tied behind my back.

Posted by: Mike Location: Plymouth on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Sorry, but this was NOT professional basketball.

Posted by: Alan Location: Elkhart on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:45 AM
So long to the ghetto league and good riddance.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:15 AM
it was a glorified pick up game that charged admission and suckered investors in and then file for chapter 7 bk. end of story

Posted by: mallory Location: elkhert on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:20 AM
I think they we every good.and a group of my friends and i would get together and go and cheer them on as well as having a good time hanging out=]

Posted by: Fine Location: Indiana on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:53 AM
Damion Beathea is fine!

Posted by: Ernie Express Location: Elkhart on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:10 PM
i just want to say thank you for the whole support of the fans. i wish there was a team this year but i am glad i had the opportunity to be a part of a world championship caliber organization and had the chance to help get the "EXPRESS NATION" rallied up each and every night. Bless you all "EXPRESS NATION"!!!!!

Posted by: Parsons Location: Goshen on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:03 PM
As an example of cutting costs, why did the Elkhart Express need their own office on C.R. 17? Why couldn't their office be located in Northside Gym where they play at?

Posted by: JT Location: SB on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:29 PM
Didn't know we had a pro team in the area. Never heard or saw anything about they.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Sounds to me like beathea was taking to much off the top. Maybe its because he was never to live up to all the expectations put on him in high school. He was never as good as anyone thought he was and he has proved that again, with another failure. Way to go daimon, be proud of yourself, i'm sure their are others out there you can rip off.


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