Today is the Williamsburg Minutemen's 30th home game of the season. In celebration of their 30th season, a 12-fur team was elected by the Minutemen fans. Without further ado, here is more about them:

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Sergei Bukhov, male polar bear, forward

1991 - 2004

#37

Born in Moscow in the Soviet Union, Bukhov starred for Red Army teams for a few seasons. However, he took the opportunity to defect to the United States during a North American tour, taking advantage of the USSR's collapsing organization. Signing as a free agent with the Williamsburg Minutemen, the polar bear's grim look became a fixture at forward for over a decade. He was an expert at crashing the boards and providing perimeter defense. He won the Most Improved Player Award for the 1995-96 season.

He wasn't all business on the team, though; off the court, he was always ready to tell a story about his days in Russia, and he was the master of towel whipping unsuspecting teammates in the locker room showers.

When he finally cracked a smile on the court after hitting a rare three-pointer that gave the Minutemen a last-second victory in 2000, his teammates didn't let him forget it, posting pictures of his awkward, yet toothy smile from the local newspaper on his locker.

He took a smaller role as the years went on and was a valued bench player on the Minutemen’s championship team for the 2003 season.

Bukhov now lives in Moscow and keeps in regular touch with his former teammates. He has a wife of 10 years, Larissa (Siberian husky), and an eight-year old adopted son, Victor (Arctic Fox).

William Butenschen, male jaguar, center

1984 - 1996

#45 retired in 1996

A West German native who went to the University of Houston, he was picked third by Williamsburg in the 1984 FBA Draft. He was known for his rebounding prowess in school, his powerful claws able to glom onto the ball. His professional teammates, noting his propensity to exclusively speak German when he played, tagged him with the nickname "Die Greifer" - "The Claws".

Butenschen improved steadily in three seasons, and he won the FBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1988 and 1989 thanks to his superior defensive rebounding prowess. He won the awards again in 1993 and 1994 when the Minutemen reached the Finals, teaming with Jake Masters and Stan Shields to form the Three Generals.

In the middle of the 1994-95 season, during a rebound attempt against the Dakota Bikers, he was bumped accidentally and came down awkwardly on his right foot, breaking his ankle. He missed the rest of the season. He tried to come back and play in the 1995-96 campaign, but a nerve problem causing him pain every time he landed from a jump forced him to retire early.

Butenschen's number 45 was retired before the 1996 season opener, and he now works as the Minutemen’s top international scout. His discoveries include Karl Gruber (Cougar, PF, MON), Nick Nwabudike (Elephant, C, WIL) and Teo Masalia (Black Panther, SG, WIL). He resides in Williamsburg.

Karl Gruber, male cougar, forward-center

1997 - 2003

#55

Gruber was a largely unheralded prospect coming out of Bonn, Germany. But after Willie Butenschen discovered him during a pickup game at a combine, he liked what he saw and encouraged the Minutemen to draft him. They took him in the second round of the 1997 draft.

Gruber, inserted as the power forward almost instantly, developed slowly, but he broke out during the 2000-01 season. His hard drives to the hoop were nearly unstoppable, his dunks thunderous and his hook shots light and precise. He was able to assume the scoring load for the Minutemen and thrived thanks to the role.

Gruber led Williamsburg to their first championship in their history in 2002-03, scoring Finals MVP for the seven-game series against the Dakota Bikers. He then ruined that good will by deciding to leave the team in free agency to go to the Bikers, helping them to the 2004 FBA championship.

The cougar had stints with the Bantams and Spectrums, the season in Santa Ana partially lost to a hurt back. However, when Karl was traded to the Howlers, he got a second wind, winning Most Improved Player of the Year in 2010-11. He remains the starting power forward for Montana.

Adrian Jefferson, male bald eagle

2004 - 11

#7

Seemingly made as the perfect player for the Minutemen, Jefferson used the famous “one flap rule” to become one of the best forwards in the whole FBA. Drafted out of Virginia Tech, Adrian immediately took the place of retired forward Sergei Bukhov.

He was young and inexperienced like much of the rest of his team. However, he was able to provide solid perimeter defense and developed an excellent jump shot.

Jefferson, a very patriotic individual to the point of insufferability to some people, was the perfect motivator for the Williamsburg club. After Rusk abruptly retired, Jefferson became the captain of the team. He tried his best to compliment the team in scoring with Teo Masalia and Nick Nwabudike in 2009-10, but the issues surrounding the team, including Debroah Walker, his shoving fight with teammate Liam Orwell over a debate about gun control, and the “Plane Crash Hoax” didn’t help matters.

Jefferson’s skills seemed to disappear a little as those years wore on. Benched in 2010 in favor of rookie Damien Nathaniel was traded to the Keystones in the 2011 deadline package for Alan Murphy. Adrian provided a steady veteran presence for Pittsburgh and is currently in the D-League with the Idaho Mounties. He has a wife named Veronica (robin) and an 8-year old daughter Melanie (robin).

Rachel Madden, female raccoon, guard-forward

1986 - 1994

#30

Rachel Madden provided one of the best bench influences in Williamsburg history. Drafted in 1986 out of UCLA, Madden, with her lanky presence and long brown hair, became adept at drawing fouls on layups and getting to the line. She didn’t have the best jump shot and she wasn't a flashy dunker. However, she was a steady rebounder and money from the line. She made 65 straight free throws in 1989, a club record that still stands today.

Rachel was known for having a smile on her face, without fail, even in the most dire of situations. Known kiddingly by opponents as “Roosevelt’s Ringtail”, Madden mostly worked as the backup guard to Jake Masters and spent most of her career coming off the bench for Carol Majewski (kangaroo) and Bukhov at forward.

Madden resides in her hometown of Los Angeles, Is married to her husband of 15 years, Larry (squirrel) and they have an adopted five-year old daughter named Eliza (raccoon).

Carol Majewski, female kangaroo, forward

1984 - 1990

#10

The first female player for the Minutemen, Majewski was an agile player with deceptive strength and all-around skills. Picked in the second round of the 1984 Draft by the Minutemen out of Indiana, she, not Masters, Shields, or Butenschen, became the team’s first exceptional dunker, often preferring behind the head slams. This gave the blonde-haired kangaroo a lot of quick popularity, as she was named “FBA’s Best New Dunker” in a fan poll conducted in 1985.

Carol's most famous moment was a put-back slam in the closing seconds of Game 3 of the 1987 first-round playoffs to give the Minutemen their first playoff victory in franchise history.

Majewski became one of the Minutemen’s better inside offensive players, gliding in for dunks, layups and 15-foot jumpers. She had a well-known friendly wager with William Butenschen on whom could grab the most rebounds each game. William usually won, but the contest helped motivate both of them.

Majewski lives in her hometown of Indianapolis and works as a broadcaster for the FBC network, covering nationally-televised games. She has been married 10 years to her second husband Derek (dingo) and her 12-year old son Chris (dingo) is from Derek’s first marriage.

Jake Masters, male orange tabby cat, guard

1983 - 2003

#8 Retired in 2003

Masters, the #1 pick of the 1983 FBA Draft out of Georgetown, became one of the greatest players in furry basketball history. Using a strong, smooth shooting touch and emotional leadership, the orange tabby won Rookie of the Year in 1983-84. His nickname "Sure Shot" was earned in college because his coaches and teammates were always "sure" that his shots were going into the hoop.

One of the defining moments that would follow him the rest of his career was a very tearful reaction to his first series playoff loss in 1988 to the Hamilton Mariners. Fans tagged him with the nickname "Crybaby", and Masters only made the nickname stick when he continued to have the same emotional reactions after playoff outsters.

Masters reached the pinnacle of his career in 1993 and 1994, winning two straight MVP awards and leading the Minutemen to the FBA Finals in each year. But they were defeated by the Dakota Bikers and Santa Cruz Clefs, respectively.

For the rest of his career, he was overshadowed by division rival Healey Davis (Cheetah, SG, retired), whom won five straight championships from 1995 to 2000. Unlike Davis, who retired at his peak, Masters couldn’t quit the game until he won a championship.

His role diminished to shooter off the bench, but he was still the unquestioned leader of the team. The Minutemen reached the Finals again in 2003, and Masters, at 41 years of age, enjoyed his first championship as Williamsburg defeated the Dakota Bikers in 7 games. His number 8 was retired before the 2003-04 home opener.

Masters is now an assistant to the president of the Williamsburg Minutemen basketball club. He has a wife of 28 years, Sheila Masters (white American shorthair). Jake proposed to Sheila at center court at Patriot Stadium in the winter of 1984, and they were married in January of 1985. They have a 22-year old daughter, Brianna (orange tabby mix).

Karen McCall, female fennec fox, guard

1997 - 2008

#6

McCall, who decided she would play basketball when she was four years old, became one of the University of Texas’ most decorated players. The black-haired fennec was drafted by the Minutemen in the 1997 Draft to compliment the aging guards of the team. She performed in her role very admirably, with solid passing, shooting and cutting skills. Her short stature allowed her to slip past bigger defenders and find seams.

One of her most infamous moments involved an odd foul. During the Conference Finals against the Huntsville Mayors in 2000, she had the ball and had to post up. When she swung them to try to clear space, she caught the late Jackson Price (Fisher), who was twice her size, full on the stomach. Still, she apologized and helped him up after the foul, which was in her nature.

Valiant and determined, McCall won two straight Sixth Fur of the Year awards for the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. The fennec was faced with the unenviable task of replacing her former teammate Stan Shields after he retired following the 2003 championship season. Unfortunately, Karen wasn’t able to lead what talent the Minutemen had left to much wins. She retired after a successful 2007-08 campaign where she was able to work with rookie Teo Masalia, who credits her to this day for points on how to direct the offense well.

Karen resides in San Antonio. Her niece Tina is currently a member of the Williamsburg Minutemen.

Nick Nwabudike, male elephant

2003 - present

#28

Nicholas Nwabudike grew up on the outskirts of Awka, Nigeria, when it was still called Nri. It was a minor miracle that he was even able to go out into the world. As a young calf, he was nearly murdered for his tusks while going out for a walk. He mostly overcame the traumatizing experience, although today he doesn’t like being around Jeeps as a result; it was the vehicle the assailants used.

The elephant was drafted from the Nigerian national team in 2003 after the Minutemen had won their first championship. His immense size and big, long trunk give him a large advantage in gobbling up rebounds for his team, and that’s what got him noticed by the Minutemen club. With a helpful personality, Nwabudike became one of the important presences of the squad over the years as the other veterans retired.

In 2007, Nick teamed up with rookie Teo Masalia (Black Panther, SG) to give the Minutemen a new top duo: “Ebony and Ivory”. Nwabudike’s offensive game, which normally consists of layups and small dunks, improved by leaps and bounds with Masalia’s passing and the Minutemen’s play improved as a result. The elephant captured the rebounding title in 2010-11 and nearly averaged a double-double last season.

Having another great season in 2012-13, Nwabudike became the career rebounding leader in Williamsburg's history, passing William Butenschen's career mark on March 28 against the Tallahassee Typhoons.

Zak Pejovic, male red fox, forward/center

1995 - 2004

#24

A skinny, yet tall, red-headed fox (Leonard Mack (Fox, PF, WIL) must be a distant relative), the Croatian Pejovic was drafted by the Springfield Fusion in the 1995 Draft and went to the Minutemen in a draft day trade.

He was supposed to be the next power forward to cement the Minutemen’s front line. However, when center William Butenschen broke his ankle in 1994, Morgan Roosevelt inserted Pejovic in his place. The new center had to use his sheer size to counter inexperience at standing in the post, focusing on rebounding and boxing out the opponent as he developed.

After a few struggles in adjusting to the pivot role, Pejovic won the Most Improved Player Award in the 1997-98 season. Not much on the talkative side, even though he spoke English well, Pejovic usually let his presence speak for him. He anchored center for the 2003 champions.

Pejovic emigrated to the United States with his wife Janica (wolf) and 7-year old son Nikola (wolf-fox) in 2005. They currently reside in Williamsburg.

Benjamen Rusk, male Great Dane, forward

2001 - 09

#15

Rusk, a tall handsome Great Dane, was a commanding presence for the Williamsburg Minutemen team for several seasons. Big Ben's leadership was as steady as his 15-foot jump shot that he could make from any angle, and his teammates could count on him to be in the middle of every scrum for the basketball. He was so fearless for rebounds that he got into a scrum with Stefan Kikovic (Porcupine, C, BLX) and had to briefly leave the game to get several porcupine quills out of his arms and near his face.

Named captain in 2005, Benjamen took the role seriously, leading on the floor and in the locker room. His complimentary scoring and rebounding galvanized power forward position and he helped Williamsburg to 58 wins and a first round victory over the Plymouth Taproots.

In November, before the 2009-10 season was to kick off, Rusk abruptly retired from the game. His justification was to protest a trade involving the Howlers and Mayors where Huntsville, the defending FBA champions, imported Charles Yotechuk (Coyote, PF, HNT), the best power forward in the game.

Despite that, Rusk remains in good standing with the organization, keeping in regular touch with his former coach Morgan Roosevelt. He resides in his hometown of Dover, England.

Stan Shields, male grey wolf, guard

1985 - 2003

#12 retired in 2003

Shields was the #2 pick of the Williamsburg Minutemen in the 1985 FBA Draft. Known for his cool demeanor and crisp passing, "Slick" earned the 1985-86 Rookie of the Year.

While businesslike to a fault, Shields did like to wear his hair in style with the times, going with a longer ‘do in the 1990s. Almost always knowing exactly where to pass the ball, Shields used the same moves year after year, molding crossovers and dribble fakes and passes and stop-and-pop shots into an art form well into his thirties. Teaming up with William Butenschen and Jake Masters for ten years, the three become known to the Minutemen faithful as "The Three Generals". Shields’ best moment may have come in the 1994 FBA All-Star Game, where he connected with several amazing alley-oop dunks with Healey Davis.

Shields, like his teammate Jake, wanted to help the Minutemen earn a championship as well. In the seasons leading up to it, he did his best to help Karl Gruber score and advised Karen McCall on how to best lead the offense.

Retiring following the 2003 Finals at 39 years of age, Shields' number 12 was retired along with Masters' number before the 2003-04 season opener.

Shields soon moved into coaching, heading his alma mater North Carolina State's basketball team. After coaching them for several seasons, the new Edmonton Totems hired him to be their first head coach after 29 seasons as the Des Moines Blanks. He has been married 21 years to Helen Shields (wolf) and has a 19-year old daughter named Olivia and an 18-year old son named Stan, Jr.

Morgan Roosevelt, male raccoon

1983 - present

The only coach in Williamsburg Minutemen history, Morgan Roosevelt grew up playing basketball in Charlottesville, Virginia. Never straying too far from home, he was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of Virginia in 1975. While playing there for the full four seasons, Roosevelt was a smart, solid player, and a respected leader as a senior. He was the point guard on the court, very vocal in calling out plays and using a lot of hand signals. If there was one thing furs knew about Morgan, it’s that he was very enthusiastic about what he did.

But what he really wanted to do was coach. So to that end, he studied for a degree in sports management.

When he graduated, he was hired as Virginia’s assistant coach and held the position for three seasons. His excitable encouragement his slightly younger players was a good compliment to When the FBA announced the Williamsburg Minutemen franchise, Roosevelt was contacted as a candidate for an interview by new owner Jack Tarman, along with several other coaches with FBA experience who were out of a job.

Tarman decided to place the new team in the paws of the younger raccoon because he saw great potential in his communication skills and understanding of his players.

It’s the only hire Tarman ever made for the position.

Though younger than a lot of his veteran players, Roosevelt quickly won their respect with his enthusiasm and willingness to stand behind them. Morgan has never been afraid to tinker with the lineups, trying to give his teams the best opportunities to succeed.

Over the years, Roosevelt became very well known for his antics. He runs up and down the sidelines, giving hand signals and yelling play codes at the top of his voice. It’s not unusual to see him pump his fist after a big basket by the Minutemen, or spread his arms wide in consternation with a questionable call. He continues the mannerisms to this day.

Roosevelt has won four Coach of the Year Awards and led Williamsburg to two championships. He is married to Martha Roosevelt. his wife of 33 years. They have three children: sons David, 30, and Peter, 28, and daughter Nicole, 32.

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FBA ©  BuckHopper

Sergei Bukhov, William Butenschen, Rachel Madden, Carol Majewski, Jake Masters, Karen McCall, Zak Pejovic, Stan Shields, Morgan Roosevelt and all related characters ©  Sam Gwosdz

Nick Nwabudike ©  GlenSkunk