Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks

Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks
Logo
General information
Inaugural season1991
Folded1991
StadiumCarter–Finley Stadium
HeadquarteredRaleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
ColorsRed, Kelly Green, Black, White[1]
       
Personnel
OwnerGeorge Shinn
Head coachRoman Gabriel
League / conference affiliations
World League of American Football (NFL Europe)

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."[2] The team had three official mascots. One was the Skyhawk jersey wearing bird, the other two were Orville (Craig Lloyd) and Wilbur Wright costumed characters.

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 NC State alumnus Roman Gabriel.[3]

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.[4][5] During the 1991 season, the three Europe-based teams dominated the franchises in North America. In mid-season, the Skyhawks came close to beating the Frankfurt Galaxy in Germany, but lost 30–28 to a team that was coached by Jack Elway and finished the season 7–3, considered by some as the league's second best.[6] 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.[7] 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

Offensive coaches

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


[8]

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
  •  1 Peter Bush P
  • 55 Vladimir Gerogiev LB
  • 92 Oleg Sapego DL


Rookies in italics

Schedule

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Source
1 March 23 4:00 p.m. at Sacramento Surge L 3–9 0–1 Hughes Stadium 15,126 [9]
2 March 30 8:00 p.m. at Orlando Thunder L 20–58 0–2 Florida Citrus Bowl 20,811 [10]
3 April 6 8:00 p.m. Barcelona Dragons L 14–26 0–3 Carter–Finley Stadium 17,900 [11]
4 April 15 8:00 p.m. San Antonio Riders L 15–37 0–4 Carter–Finley Stadium 11,818 [12]
5 April 20 8:00 p.m. at Frankfurt Galaxy L 28–30 0–5 Waldstadion 21,065 [13]
6 April 28 6:00 p.m. at London Monarchs L 10–35 0–6 Wembley Stadium 33,997 [14]
7 May 5 1:00 p.m. New York/New Jersey Knights L 6–42 0–7 Carter–Finley Stadium 10,069 [15]
8 May 13 8:00 p.m. at Montreal Machine L 6–15 0–8 Olympic Stadium 20,123 [16]
9 May 20 8:00 p.m. Orlando Thunder L 14–20 0–9 Carter–Finley Stadium 4,207 [17]
10 May 25 3:00 p.m. Birmingham Fire L 7–28 0–10 Carter–Finley Stadium 16,335 [18]

[8] [19]

References

  1. ^ "Team Colors – WLAF". SSUR.org. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  2. ^ Dascenzo, Frank (April 8, 1991). "Skyhawks have to get back to basics". The Herald-Sun. p. B1. Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Huffman, Dane (January 11, 1991). "To the world, they'll be the Skyhawks". The News and Observer. p. 1C. Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Mosher, Katie (May 22, 1991). "Fans offer ideas to help Skyhawks fly". The News and Observer. p. 1B. Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Hooley, Bruce (November 27, 1991). "In search of more than a coach". The Plain Dealer. p. 2D. Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Galaxy rallies, keeps Skyhawks (0–5) winless". The Charlotte Observer. Associated Press. April 21, 1991. p. 8D. Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "WLAF banking on area grid tradition". The Delaware Gazette. Associated Press. November 27, 1991. p. 9. Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b The Official 1991 World League of American Football Media Guide.
  9. ^ Traynham, Gary (March 24, 1991). "Skyhawks open on a downer as Surge wins 9–3". The News and Observer. p. B1. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Fay, Bill (March 31, 1991). "Bell, Thunder bolt by Skyhawks 58–20". The Tampa Tribune. p. S-13. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Armstrong, Jr., Elson (April 7, 1991). "Skyhawks can't clear runway". The Herald-Sun. p. B1. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Miller, Craig (April 16, 1991). "Struggling Skyhawks stay grounded". The High Point Enterprise. p. 3B. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Galaxy pass up Skyhawks". San Antonio Light. Associated Press. April 21, 1991. p. C6. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Skyhawks now 0–6 after loss". The Herald-Sun. Associated Press. April 29, 1991. p. B4. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Huffman, Dane (May 6, 1991). "Skyhawks fall to Knights 42–6". The News and Observer. p. D1. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Machine beats Skyhawks, ties for East Division lead". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. Associated Press. May 14, 1991. p. E8. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Huffman, Dane (May 21, 1991). "Skyhawks give tough effort in loss". The News and Observer. p. C1. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Houston, Kerr (May 26, 1991). "Fire torches Skyhawks". The Chapel Hill Newspaper. p. B1. Retrieved February 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ The Official 1992 World League Fact Book.
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