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  Spokane Golden Hawks (1979-1980)

 

 

Years of Operation: 1979-1980

 

Overall Record:  12-5

 

First Game: Aug 11, 1979 vs Lynnwood-Edmonds

 

First Win: Aug 11, 1979 vs Lynnwood-Edmonds

 

Final Game: Sep 20, 1980 vs Pierce County Bengals

 

League Affiliation

 

Northwest International Football League (1979-80)

Minor Professional Football Association

 

Team Headquarters: W 202 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99204

 

Team Colors:  Crimson & Gold

Owner: Dick Seuss, Jim McClenehan

 

General Manager: Rick Koller (1980), Dick Seuss (1979)

 

Coaches: Mike Ganey (HC 1980), Fritz Brayton, Jeff Busby, Al Leaonard, Gary Davis (HC 1979), Bill Knuckles, Bob Gayney, Jerry Traynham

 

Home Field(s): Joe Albi Stadium (Spokane, WA)

Titles Won

None

  1979 Schedule/Results (9-3)  

Honors

 

Joe Davis, OG Minor Professional Football Association East-West All-Star Game (New Orleans)

Chuck Green MPFA All-Star Alternate

Stu Dodds, MPFA All-Star Alternate

 

All-League/All-Stars

Scott Mullernix, DT (1980); LB - 1979 NIFL 1st

Mark Deerheim, DE (1980)

Darryl Wilkerson, WR (1980); 1979 NIFL 2nd

Joe Davis, OG (1980); 1979 NIFL 1st

John Hopson, LB (1980); DL - 1979 NIFL 2nd

Kevin Grafis, OT (1980)

Randy Cameron, WR - 1979 NIFL 1st

Jim Fisk, RB - 1979 NIFL 1st

Todd Arndt, DL - 1979 NIFL 1st

Chuck Green, DL - 1979 NIFL 1st

Jeff Sheffield, DB - 1979 NIFL 1st

Joe Kramer, C - 1979 NIFL 2nd

Mark Jensen, RB - 1979 NIFL 2nd

Mark Richter, DB - 1979 NIFL 2nd

Mike Childers, P - 1979 NIFL 2nd

Doug Miller, KR - 1979 NIFL 2nd

 

All-America

 

Joe Davis, OG (1979; 1980)

 

9,069 fans attended the 'Hawks 1979 season opener as Jim Fisk scored Spokane's first TD in team history.  Nose guard Al Stalworth was voted Defensive Player of the Game.

 

After an outstanding inaugural season where the 'Hawks lost in the NWIFL Championship in overtime to the Pierce County Bengals, news began to surface of problems in the Golden house.  Dick Seuss, originator of the team resigned after two games and in December, he along with Head Coach Davis and six other team officers were named in a lawsuit brought by former players.  Most notably was Robert Bynum, a former Morgan State standout from Los Angeles.  Bynum presented a letter from Seuss stating "...we will reimburse your travel expenses if you make a commitment to come here and play ball."  He also claimed promises of temporary housing and a job for his wife, who quit her job in California to accompany him to Spokane.  Guy Swick, Otis Mills and Clarence Leverett were other players listed as plaintiffs.  President James McClenahan claimed the team lost nearly $7,000 on the season and could not share any profits with players.

 

The 1980 'Hawks finished 2nd in league standings but were ousted from the playoffs when they violated league bylaws and forfeited a game to the Van-Port Thunderbirds citing financial difficulties.  The Thunderbirds refused to travel to Spokane after the 'Hawks no-show reportedly cost them $2,000, money they would have used for playoff travel.  The league reported that the Golden Hawks were on probation for a similar violation from the previous season.

 

Punter Stu Dodds (Montana State), recently released by the San Diego Chargers (7th round draft pick), punted 9 times for 406 yards (45.1 avg) against Burien on Aug 30.

 

*  *  *

 

In 1981 The Bank of Spokane sued the Golden Hawks for a loan in the amount of $10, 592.  The bank also claimed $3,671 in unpaid checks were still outstanding when the account had insufficient funds in it.  James McClenahan, Calvin Graedel and John Plastino were named in the suit as officers of the team.  In June of 1981 a bench warrant was issued for McClenahan and Plastino in a $14, 263 judgment against them.

 

Aug 4 - NWIFL Jamboree  
Aug 11 - Lynnwood-Edmonds Lions 59-0
Aug 18 - Skagit Valley Raiders 39-6
Aug 25 - Burien Flyers 16-14
Sept 1 -Pierce County Bengals 0-20
Sept 8 - Kitsap County Chiefs 35-3
Sept 15 - Seattle Cavaliers 42-0
Sept 22 @ Edmonds Chargers 71-0
Sept 29 - Van-Port Thunderbirds 41-0
Oct 6 - Edmonds Chargers W FFT
Oct 13 @ Pierce County Bengals 7-43
Oct 20 @ Burien Flyers 28-20
Oct 27 -Seattle Cavaliers * 43-7
Nov 10 @ Pierce County Bengals ** 9-12 OT
   
1980 Schedule/Results (3-2):  
Aug 9 - Pierce County Bengals 13-20 
Aug 16 - Seattle Cavaliers 35-15
Aug 30 - Burien Flyers 29-12
Sept 6 - Van-Port Thunderbirds 34-10
Sept 13 - @ Burien Flyers W FFT

Sept 20 - @ Pierce County Bengals

0-21
Sept 27 - @ Van-Port Thunderbirds L FFT
Oct 4 - Burien Flyers Cancel
   
  * NIFL Playoffs  
  ** NIFL Championship  
   
   
   
   

Reserve QB Ricky Tedford scrambles for 18-yards

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

 

   
   
   
   

Former Pros:

 

"Mean" Charles Green (New York Giants)

Arthur Allen (Oakland Raiders)

Mike Childers (Los Angeles Rams) punter

 

Photos

 

News Releases

 
 
  © 2008 GNFA GREATER NORTHWEST FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.