The Newton Nite Hawks is a semi-pro American football team playing in Newton, Iowa from 1974-1978. They are members of the Chicagoland Football League (CFL) and the North American Football League (NSFL). They are the first professional or semi-professional team to play American football in continental Europe.
Video Newton Nite Hawks
History
Founded by local businessman Jim Foster and Jim Williams in 1974, Newton Nite Hawks were trained by Tom Ross during their first season. The team won their first franchise victory by beating Brighton Park Bengals 48-0. After a slow start, the Nite Hawks went on to win 4 of their last 5 games and earn a place in the CFL playoffs. They are the first team in CFL history to make the playoffs in the first year of their operation. The Nite Hawks completed their inaugural season 5-5-1.
The 1975 season was an escape for the Nite Hawks. Jim Williams took over the head coaching job as the team finished 10-2, won the American Division Title and won the CFL championship with a 17-7 win over Niles Saints. Statistically, the Nite Hawks led many league categories, including total offense and total defense.
In their third year of existence, the 1976 Nite Hawks made a league playoff for a third straight year under new coach Dick Altemeier. The team finished the season 6-5 after losing to Delavan (Wisconsin) the Red Devils in the first round of the CFL playoffs.
The Newton Nite Hawks made a history of football in 1977. Through Jim Foster's entrepreneurial effort, the Newton Nite Hawks were chosen to play a 5-match soccer tour in Europe (see below) with the Chicago Lions in early June. After winning all 5 games in Europe, the Nite Hawks posted a 7-3 record in the 1977 NSFL regular season. In addition, the Nite Hawks became a member of the North American Football League and played all home games at HA Lynn Field after the previous three seasons at Holland Patterson Field. In their final year at Newton, the Nite Hawks finished 5-5 in 1978 under coach Herb Taylor.
Maps Newton Nite Hawks
European Championship
In an effort to build and promote American football in Europe, the Nite Hawks is the first professional team (pro or semi-pro) at any level to play American football on the European continent. Hosted by the Intercontinental Football League (IFL), the Nite Hawks and the league rivals the Chicago Lions played a 5-game tour in 3 countries during June 1977. The game was played in Versailles, France; Lille, France; Landstuhl, Germany; Gratz Austria; and Vienna, Austria. The games at Lille and Gratz each attracted 21,000 and 13,000 fans. The Nite Hawks sweep the Lions, winning all 5 contests and the first Professional European Football Championship (and only). IFL attempted to schedule additional matches in Linz, Austria and Bucharest, Romania, but logistics and politics proved too difficult for the contest to take place. Nite Hawk ran back Mark Fetter scored the first professional goal on European soil, ran 6 yards on the way to a Nite Hawk victory at Versailles, France.
Main Field
The Nite Hawks played their home games at Newton at Holland-Patterson Memorial Field (1974-1976) and H. A. Lynn Field (1977-1978). The team often trained at Industrial Park located at the northern end of Newton.
Color
Black and gold
Uniform
The Nite Hawks wore 3 uniform tops during their 5 year history:
- 1974-75: Black with gold numbers in front/back and shoulders. Her arms were trimmed with IOWA words on one arm, and HAWKS on the other.
- 1976-77: Black with gold numbers in front/back and shoulders. Small hawk logo placed on arm. The word IOWA is placed above the front chest.
- 1978: Black with gold numbers in front/back and shoulders. The word NITE HAWKS is placed above the front chest.
The socks are white with numbers and black letters.
Pants: Gold with a single black line on each side.
Helmet: Gold shell with black diameter. Black Nite Hawk insignia decals grace each side of the helmet. The face mask is gray.
Player
Nite Hawks at the American Football Association (AFA) Minor League Pro Soccer Hall of Fame:
- 1982-Jim Foster, (Executive)
- 1991-Stan Allspach, QB (Player)
- 1994-Ron Wilson, WR (Players)
- 1996-Jim Williams, (Coach)
- 2003-Doug Fisher, DB (Player)
- 2004-David Summy, LB (Cast)
- 2013-Steve "Bucky" Denton (Players)
- 2016-Larry Allen DE (Players)
Important Players/Alumni
- Jim Foster (GM, WR) - Patent developed for Arena Football
- Bill Larson (TE) -Played 3 years in the NFL after completing Nite Hawk's career in 1976
- Karl Schueneman (OL) - struggling with Steve McQueen in the 1980 movie The Hunter
- David Beckman (Assistant) -The head coach of Hamilton Tiger-Cats from the Canadian Football League
- Lightning Mitchell (RB) -Founder and Director of the American Basketball Association Woman
External links
- Newton Daily News
- Des Moines List
- Association of Professional Football Dancers
- Small League Football Hall of Fame
- The American Football Association
References
- Associated Press. "Five Signals of the Football Match Series Moving Into Europe?" Spokane Daily Chronicle April 21, 1977.
- Bob Blanchard. "Scout Report". Chicago Daily News May 25, 1977.
- Lowe, J.: "Nite Hawks Called Newton Home", Newton Daily News , P. 18.
- Ron Maly. "Nite Hawks a 'Hit' in Europe: Fan Type Beatles Reaction for Soccer Teams". Des Moines Register June 16, 1977. 3S
- United Press International. "The Success of American Football In Europe". Des Moines Register June 3, 1977.
- United Press International. "Europe to See American Football". St. Petersburg Times , May 27, 1977 P. 29.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments