Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks

The Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks were an American football team headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina that played for one season in 1991 in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The name was inspired by the Wright brothers' flights on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The three jet-trails and three planes in flight, as well as the triangle design in the logo, represented the three points of the Research Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). The team's cheerleaders were known as the "Kittyhawks."

Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks
Founded1991
Closed1991
Based inRaleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Home fieldCarter–Finley Stadium
LeagueWorld League of American Football (NFL Europe)
ColorsRed, Kelly Green, Black, White[1]
       
Franchise recordRegular Season: 0–10

The name was chosen by Raleigh citizens, the choices being the Skyhawks, Daredevils, or Rogues as published in the News and Observer.

The Skyhawks' home field was N.C. State's Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Then-Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn owned the franchise, and the head coach was former NFL player and N.C. State alumnus Roman Gabriel.

The team had a 0–10 record in the 1991 season and averaged 12,066 spectators per game due in part to the lack of beer sales, which were not allowed at (technically) on-campus Carter–Finley Stadium. The team folded after their lone season of 1991. To replace them for the 1992 season, the WLAF established a new franchise in Columbus, Ohio, naming it the Ohio Glory.

The Skyhawks' lack of success did not sour the NFL on the whole state, as in 1995, Charlotte welcomed the expansion Carolina Panthers franchise. Professional sports would return to the Triangle area eight years later when the Carolina Hurricanes moved there from Greensboro, North Carolina to play in their newly constructed arena.

Season-by-season
Season League Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
1991 WLAF 0 10 0 .000 4th (North American East) – – — —
Total 0 10 0 .000 – – —

Personnel

Staff
1991 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks staff
Front office
  • Owner – George Shinn
  • Vice President/Administration – Wayne Thompson
  • Director of Player Personnel – Ernie Driscoll

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs – Johnnie Walton
  • Receivers/Special Teams – Jim Popp
  • Offensive Line – Buck Fowler
 Defensive coaches


[2]

Roster
1991 Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks roster
Quarterbacks
  • 14 Mark Maye
  • 11 Bobby McAllister
  •  6 Joe Pizzo

Running Backs

  • 28 Sean Doctor
  • 21 John Burch
  • 30 Bren Lowery
  • 20 Darryl McGill

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

  • 81 Joe Meerten
  • 85 Kevin Sprinkles
 Offensive Linemen
  • 64 Terry Gray G
  • 72 Kelly John-Lewis T
  • 60 Jason Kuipers G
  • 51 Wood Myers T
  • 68 Ruffin Rodrigue G/T
  • 53 Paul Wulff C
  • 76 Chuck Whelpley G

Defensive Linemen

 Linebackers
  • 52 Ezekial Gadson
  • 61 Steve Glasson
  • 96 Troy Stedman
  • 98 Rafe Wilkinson
  • 59 Shawn Woodson

Defensive Backs

  • 24 Chris Barber CB
  • 47 Ray Jackson S
  • 29 Gerald Mack CB
  • 26 Pat McGuirk CB
  • 23 Brian McPhatter S
  • 31 Peda Samuel CB
  • 41 Richard Smith S

Special Teams

  •  7 Troy Faunce P
  •  3 Wilson Hoyle K
 Operation Discovery
  • 22 Nicolay Aslaksen RB Norway
  •  1 Peter Bush P Australia
  • 55 Vladimir Gerogiev LB Soviet Union
  • 92 Oleg Sapego DL Soviet Union


Rookies in italics

Schedule
Week Date Kickoff Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 March 23 4:00 p.m. at Sacramento Surge L 3–9 0–1 Hughes Stadium 15,126
2 March 30 8:00 p.m. at Orlando Thunder L 20–58 0–2 Florida Citrus Bowl 20,811
3 April 6 8:00 p.m. Barcelona Dragons L 14–26 0–3 Carter–Finley Stadium 17,900
4 April 15 8:00 p.m. San Antonio Riders L 15–37 0–4 Carter–Finley Stadium 11,818
5 April 20 8:00 p.m. at Frankfurt Galaxy L 28–30 0–5 Waldstadion 21,065
6 April 28 6:00 p.m. at London Monarchs L 10–35 0–6 Wembley Stadium 33,997
7 May 5 1:00 p.m. New York/New Jersey Knights L 6–42 0–7 Carter–Finley Stadium 10,069
8 May 13 8:00 p.m. at Montreal Machine L 6–15 0–8 Olympic Stadium 20,123
9 May 20 8:00 p.m. Orlando Thunder L 14–20 0–9 Carter–Finley Stadium 4,207
10 May 25 3:00 p.m. Birmingham Fire L 7–28 0–10 Carter–Finley Stadium 16,335

[2] [3]

References
  1. "Team Colors – WLAF". SSUR.org. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  2. The Official 1991 World League of American Football Media Guide.
  3. The Official 1992 World League Fact Book.
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