Milwaukee Hawks Team History
Move to Milwaukee from Tri-City
The Blackhawks finished last in the Western Division and missed the playoffs. By then, it was obvious that the Tri-Cities area was too small to support an NBA team. After the season, the franchise relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and became the Milwaukee Hawks.
Signing Bob Pettit
The Hawks finally got a superstar in Bob Pettit who was drafted out of Louisiana State. In his first season Pettit would earn Rookie of the Year honors while finishing fourth in scoring a 20.4 ppg. However it would not be enough to lift the Hawks out of last place as they posted a record of 26-46. Following the season Owner Ben Kerner announced he was moving the team to St. Louis, after four last place seasons in Milwaukee.
Upon moving from Tri-Cities to Milwaukee the tam shortens its nickname from Blackhawks to Hawks. Playing in the larger Milwaukee Arena better known as The Mecca the Hawks played lackluster basket ball, posting a horrid league worse 17-49 record, with Mel Hutchins, who tied for second in rebounding with 13.3 boards per game the team’s lone highlight.
Established
1946
City
Tri-Cities – Milwaukee – St. Louis – Atlanta
League History
1949 – Present National Basketball Association
1946 – 1949 National Basketball League
Team History
1968 – Present Atlanta Hawks
1955 – 1968 St. Louis Hawks
1951 – 1955 Milwaukee Hawks
1946 – 1951 Tri-Cities Blackhawks
Nickname
Hawks – The Tri-City Blackhawk’s name was shorted to just Hawks after the team moved to Milwaukee.
Championship
NBA Championships 0
1958
Arena
1999 – Present Philips Arena
1997 – 1999 Georgia Dome & Alexander Memorial Coliseum
1972 – 1997 The Omni
1968 – 1972 Alexander Memorial Coliseum
*St. Louis*
1955 – 1968 Kiel Auditorium
*Milwaukee*
1951 – 1955 Milwaukee Arena
*Moline*
1946 – 1951 Wharton Field House
Owner
2015 – Present Tony Ressler
2004 – 2015 Atlanta Spirit, LLC
1977 – 2004 Ted Turner/Turner Broadcasting
1968 – 1976 Tom Cousins/Cousins Corporation, Carl Sanders
1946 – 1968 Ben Kerner
Retired Number
9 Bob Pettit
21 Dominique Wilkins
23 Lou Hudson
55 Dikembe Mutombo
– Ted Turner
Mascot
2014 – Present Harry the Hawk
1996 – 2013 Skyhawk
*Blue is this team’s history
