"Colorado Thunder" (Women's Professional Volleyball Team) 1996 - 1998

The Colorado Thunder joined the National Volleyball Association (NVA) in 1996. The team was comprised of former members of the US Women's Olympic Team, NCAA All-Americans, and stars from the Women's Pro Beach Tour.

In their first season of play, the Colorado Thunder defeated the Nebraska Tornadoes (on their home court) for the 1997 NVA Championship! Team Captain Penny Lucas-White picked up League MVP honors. The Thunder finished the 1998 regular season at the top of the NVA standings, but lost a heartbreaking 5-game semifinal match to Iowa.

The Colorado Thunder was not only one of the most consistent teams in NVA history, but also enjoyed some of the league's best attendance numbers. The Denver and National media were also just starting to become more interested in the Thunder. Unfortunately, though, the league (owned entirely by San Diego real estate magnate Gary Wyma) was forced to cease operations after the 1998 season.

Phil von Hake served as General Manager of the Colorado Thunder from the team's inception until 1998. He was responsible for coordinating all local team activities: tryouts, practices, sponsorships, press relations, ticket sales, game-day volunteers, and (most of all) relentlessly promoting the team.

With an advertising budget near $0, von Hake still managed to draw an average of 1,000 people to every Thunder home game. After a year and a half of effort in one of America's toughest sports market, Denver's sports media finally started initiating contact with the Thunder ... "ROLL THUNDER!!!"