Portland Thunderbirds
The Portland Thunderbirds, formerly the Portland Pioneers, were a semi-professional American football team based in Portland, Oregon from 1961 to 1966. They played at Multnomah Stadium (now known as Providence Park).
History[edit]
An amateur football team known as the "Pioneers" played in 1961, but not in an organized league.[1] In 1962 the North Pacific Amateur Football League was formed, which barred players with professional football experience. The Portland team renamed themselves the "Thunderbirds".[2] The team returned in 1963 with John Moynihan as head coach.[3] The league was renamed the North Pacific Football League and reclassified as a semi-professional circuit.[4] That year the Thunderbirds held practices at Delta Park in North Portland.[5] The Thunderbirds joined the newly formed Pacific Coast Semi-Pro Football League in 1964.[6] They were sponsored by the Portland Junior Chamber of Commerce that year.[7] Plans to join the Continental Football League failed in 1967, and the Thunderbirds subsequently disbanded.[8][9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Fair, Don (17 July 1962). "Am football league set". The Oregonian. p. 23.
- ^ Fair, Don (23 August 1962). "Portland grid entry seeks depth in line". The Oregonian. p. 51.
- ^ "Amateurs set football loop". The Oregonian. Associated Press. 14 April 1963.
- ^ "Tyees drop T-birds, 13–7". The Oregonian. 23 September 1963.
- ^ "Thunderbirds summon squad". The Oregonian. 28 June 1963. p. 95.
- ^ "'Birds open on Sunday". The Oregonian. 5 September 1964. p. 19.
- ^ Gregory, L. H. (19 August 1964). "T-birds gain JC support". The Oregonian. p. 36.
- ^ "Group plans T-birds entry". The Oregonian. 14 August 1967. p. 64.
- ^ Gregory, L. H. "Greg's gossip". The Oregonian. p. 52.
External links[edit]
- Portland Tunderbirds via the Greater Northwest Football Association
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