 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
| Peoria Cats | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The Caterpillars |
| Leagues | Amateur Athletic Union 1937–1960 NIBL 1947–1960 |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Folded | 1960 |
| History | Caterpillar Diesels 1937–1946 Peoria Cats 1952–1960 |
| Arena | Peoria Armory, later Robertson Field House |
| Team colors | White, Yellow, DarkBlue & |
| Ownership | Caterpillar |
| Championships | 5 AAU Tournament 1 National Industrial Basketball League 1 Olympic Trial Playoffs |
The Caterpillar Diesels (also later known as the Peoria Cats or Caterpillars) was an amateur basketball team located in Peoria, Illinois and sponsored and run by the Caterpillar Inc. company. The Caterpillars were one of the most successful teams of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in the 1950s and they became world-wide known in 1952 when five of their players represented the USA team in the Olympics, winning the gold medal. [1]
- ^ "Bookending an Era: Peoria Cats Disband After International Perfection". Caterpillar.com. 1956-10-30. Retrieved 2017-01-25.