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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.
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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
2019 – Present / State Farm Arena
1999 – 2018 / 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
*Blue is this team’s history
