The Milwaukee Hawks history tells the story of a short yet impactful chapter in NBA basketball. Known for shaping early league competition, the franchise brought talented players and passionate fans together. During this period, Milwaukee Hawks basketball laid the groundwork for future success before moving to St. Louis, leaving a lasting mark on the sport.
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 - As sports fans, we know that the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NBA. But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story? The team was initially founded as the Milwaukee Hawks in 1968, and they kept this name until 1971, when they changed it to the Bucks.
Milwaukee Hawks Origin
The team's original owner, William E. Davis, had a unique idea for how he wanted to brand his new franchise: he decided to use a combination of two birds native to Wisconsin - namely, hawks and bucks - as inspiration for his team’s nickname. He believed combining these two animals into one powerful symbol would represent strength and courage – qualities associated with Wisconsin since its founding days!
In addition to being symbolic creatures from Wisconsin's past, both Hawks and Bucks have strong connections with basketball too: Hawks were known for their speed while bucks were renowned hunters who could leap high off the ground with great agility – perfect attributes for any successful basketball player or squad! As such, Davis felt confident about using them both as mascots for his newly formed professional hoops club; thus ‘Milwaukee Hawks’ was born (which later became ‘Milwaukee Bucks’).
So next time you cheer on your favorite NBA side, remember where their name came from – thanks go out to Mr. Davis, who gave us this iconic moniker back in 1968!
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
- 1951
- 1954
-
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 the last place as they posted a record of 26-46. Following the ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Milwaukee Hawks History
The Milwaukee Hawks history began as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1946, based in Moline, Illinois. The franchise joined the NBA in 1949 and officially became the Milwaukee Hawks basketball team in 1951 after moving to Wisconsin. This marked the start of a short but impactful era that shaped the early years of the NBA. You can read more about the team on the Milwaukee Hawks Wikipedia page.
During this time, the Milwaukee Hawks history featured Hall of Fame talents such as Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan, who were instrumental in putting the team on the national stage. The move from Tri-Cities to Milwaukee provided a fresh start, bringing new fans and a stronger identity. The franchise also laid the groundwork for its later transformation into the St. Louis Hawks, which would become even more successful.
In the 1955–56 season, the Milwaukee Hawks basketball team, under head coach Red Holzman, became a legitimate contender. Bob Pettit averaged over 25 points per game, and Cliff Hagan added 24 points per game, propelling the team to multiple playoff appearances. Although the Hawks fell just short of the NBA Championship that year, these seasons became an important part of the Milwaukee Hawks history, demonstrating the team’s ability to compete with basketball powerhouses like Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics.
The Milwaukee Hawks history also includes their eventual relocation. In 1955, ownership changes and financial issues led the team to leave Wisconsin for St. Louis, where they became the St. Louis Hawks. This move paved the way for one of the most memorable eras in franchise history.
Hawks Achievements
In their short time as the Milwaukee Hawks basketball team, the franchise reached the NBA Finals in 1957 and went on to win its first and only NBA Championship as the St. Louis Hawks in 1958. This title remains a significant achievement that traces its roots back to the team’s formative years in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Hawks history also includes multiple division titles, several playoff runs, and the emergence of Hall of Fame players who shaped the team’s identity. These accomplishments established a strong foundation for the franchise that continues today as the Atlanta Hawks, keeping the legacy of the Milwaukee Hawks basketball era alive.
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Retired Number
9 / Bob Pettit
21 / Dominique Wilkins
23 / Lou Hudson
44 / Pete Maravich
55 / Dikembe Mutombo
59 / Kasim Reed
– / Ted Turner
*Blue is this team’s history