Utica Olympics

The Utica Olympics, known also as Mohawk Valley Thunderbirds, were an American professional basketball team based in Utica, New York that were members of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) from 1978 to 1980.

The team moved to Utica during the 1978–79 season and were renamed the Mohawk Valley Thunderbirds.

During their two seasons, the franchise had seven coaches: Larry Cannon, Fred Keller, Freddie Lewis, Nappy Doherty, James Klein, Dick Frank, and Gary Mazza.

Superintendent of schools Dr. Anthony Scolzo called his acquaintance James Klein, the Olympics coach, to discuss his predicament.

Klein recommended the schools hire Olympics players as hall monitors.