Winn leaves silverbacks

[amishbonnie]

From today's Buffalo News:

Guard Winn leaves Silverbacks

8/12/2006

Tim Winn, one of the top guards in the American Basketball Association last season, has left the Buffalo Silverbacks.
Rich Jacob, the team's general manager and coach, cited "irreconcilable differences" for Winn's departure. Winn was unavailable for comment.

This is a huge loss for the Silverbacks, who leaned heavily on the former St. Bonaventure guard during their rocky inaugural season. Winn led the team in scoring 12 times, including a season-high 34 in an overtime loss at home to Maryland. Winn was a second-team All-ABA selection and played in the All-Star Game in 2005-06.

He was expected to be the team captain and serve as a player assistant along with former University at Buffalo guard Modie Cox next season.

[remus]

www.tonawanda-news.com/sports/gnnsports_story_223225204.html?keyword=topstory

BASKETBALL: Winn released by Silverbacks, career might be over

By Nate Beutel
Niagara Gazette

After only one season with the ABA’s Buffalo Silverbacks franchise, Niagara Falls’ Tim Winn has been released by the team.

According to a release from the Silverbacks, which was sent late Friday, Winn was let go due to “philosophical differences.”

General manager and head coach Rich Jacob would not elaborate when reached for comment.

“The team and Tim have parted ways and we certainly wish him the best,” Jacob said. “I think it was best to have everybody move forward in the direction that they want to.”

Winn, who starred at LaSalle High School and then at St. Bonaventure University, was a third team All-ABA selection this past season and was the then-Rapids lone all-star. During the season, Winn and fellow Falls’ native Modie Cox were named player-assistant coaches.

Winn, 29, said that the situation with the franchise was not as smooth as it had been in the past and that was the reason for his departure.

“It was just an uncomfortable situation for me,” he said. “I need to be comfortable and there was no way I could be.”

Winn also disputed the fact that he was let go by the team, instead choosing to say, “I decided to walk. It was my decision.”

Sources close to the situation said that Winn’s dismissal may be centered around a dispute with the team’s new ownership, which is led by Dan Robbie. The sources say that Robbie told Winn he would be required to tryout for the team, while others such as Modie Cox and DeRon Rutledge would not.

When asked if his release had anything to do with his relationship with Robbie, Winn promptly took the high road.

“I’m as professional as they come and I’ll say it’s my fault,” he said. “I hold no ill feelings toward those guys.”

Winn also said that while he has already talked to a number of other ABA teams and has sent tapes overseas, he may have possibly played his final professional game.

“I’m trying to figure out what I want to do,” Winn said, noting that he is looking to land a job at the new Niagara Charter school. “I’m still looking to play basketball, but I have a marketing degree too.”

[Copenhagen]

Lots of opportunites away from the minor leagues; at 29, maybe a good time to move on with his career.

Here's a job suggestion:

-graduate assistant coach at SBU.
-including a marketing position with SBU athletic dept. and/or admissions office.
-continue with the Western NY-kids program in assocation with SBU instead of the Yellow... I mean SilverBacks!

Sounds like a full plate and probably an increase in the compensation package as well.

Best of luck Tim, whatever road you take!