Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks

Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks

Founded	1991
Closed	1991
Based in	Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Home field	Carter–Finley Stadium
League	World League of American Football (NFL Europe)
Colors	Red, Kelly Green, Black, White
Franchise record	Regular Season: 0–10

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."

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. During the 1991 season, the three Europe-based teams seemingly dominated over the no prophet in his own land franchises in North America. In mid season, the Skyhawks came close to beat Frankfurt Galaxy in Germany, but lost 28-30 to a team that was coached by Jack Elway and finished the season 7-3, considered by some as the league's second best, eliminated from the play-offs only when the undefeated London Monarchs surprisingly lost to Barcelona in week 10 only to shut them out two weeks later in the World Bowl. The Skyhawks 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. After a two year hiatus, the league resumed in 1995 with new focus as NFL Europe.

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 of the NHL moved there from Greensboro, North Carolina to play ice hockey 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 Head Coach/Director of Football Operations – Roman Gabriel Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs – Johnnie Walton Receivers/Special Teams – Jim Popp Offensive Line – Buck Fowler			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers – Doug Kay Defensive Line – Claude Humphrey Mascot – Craig Lloyd Secondary/Special Teams – Charlie Harbison

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 80 Marvin Hargrove 84 Clarkston Hines 89 Andre Johnson 82 Clarence Seay 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 73 David Ammons DE 97 Webbie Burnett NT 94 Anthony Butts NT 75 Jon Carter DE 95 Tony Gunn DE 77 Erwin Grabisna DE		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  1 Peter Bush P 55 Vladimir Gerogiev LB 92 Oleg Sapego DL 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

External links

• Team results @ the Football Database