WFL Hawaiians / Calvin Hill 1974 - 75 Suspension Football Helmet TK RK

Description: Hawaii WFL Hawaiians / Calvin Hill 1974 - 75 (Authentic Reproduction) As was stated in the 1974 media guide, “The Hawaiians are proud to be the first major league professional sports team for Hawaii and the Pacific.” With two young (34 years of age) aggressive businessmen at the helm, the Hawaii entry to the WFL was bound-and- determined to make the project a financial and cultural success. Players donned leis and the traditional “Hawaiian shirt” for official team photographs, efforts were made to involve the community, and expansion and renovations were planned for the only useable stadium on the Islands. The two partner/owners were Sam Battistone and Chris Hemmeter. Battistone and his father were the founders and operators of the Sambo’s Restaurant chain. Sam also was President of Invest West, a holding company that had ownership of the NBA New Orleans Jazz, franchises in World Team Tennis, the International Track Association, and numerous sports camps. With personal assets of over $10 million and a bank credit line “in the low seven figures” he was legitimate and wealthy with much of the money coming from his share of the Sambo’s holdings. Hemmeter was an up-and-comer on the Islands as a major builder of hotel and condominium sites and had involvement with many community charities. What few knew however, was that the original “owner” of the Hawaiian franchise, or at least owner of the rights to the franchise and eventual team that would play there was Danny Rogers, a friend of Davidson’s who was given these rights when Davidson first came up with his scheme. Rogers, recognized as one of the all time great basketball players at USC, brought in Battistone and Hemmeter as the solvent partners needed to actually have a working football franchise as he had no money and thus could not begin to build a franchise or sign players. Rogers surrendered his position as licensing director for the World Hockey Association and was then rewarded, and remained involved, as the Hawaiians general manager. The Hawaiians coaching staff had a California flavor to it. Head Coach Mike Giddings was a well-respected player from the University Of California at Berkeley’s great teams of the early 1950s. Giddings brought in college teammate George Najarian as Director Of Player Personnel and in turn, a coaching staff with a completely California background. Giddings however was no “first timer” and had built a reputation as a solid coach as an assistant with the 49ers and before that, as John McKay’s defensive coordinator at USC where his teams gave up only 11.7 points per game over a five year period. Linebacker coach Damon Bane had been a USC standout and then turned to coaching. Matt Hazeltine had not only been Giddings’ teammate at Cal but as a three-time All Pro linebacker, was recognized as one of the best ever 49er players. Marv Marinovich later became infamous as the father of Raider quarterback/drug addict/draft bust Todd Marinovich and the personal trainer of many NFL players. His coaching credentials however, were A-OK as a former USC All America, Raiders player, and a trusted member of the Raiders staff for six seasons. He was hired from the Cardinals defensive staff by Giddings. Pete Riehlman was less known but highly respected in California as the head coach at Chico State. The staff was complete when former Washington Rose Bowl quarterback Bob Schloredt came on board with Hall Of Fame receiver Billy Wilson. Most remembered Wilson as a great 49er end, forgetting that he had most recently been the 49er receivers coach for six years. The coaching staff was given a boost when John Wilbur was released after one game of the 1974 NFL season. Wilbur was a nine-year NFL vet with the Cowboys, Rams, and Redskins and proved to be very much a player/coach on the offensive line, a position that would be his official title in 1975. Thus the Hawaiian staff was of professional quality and they sought to find players who would be as professional but also have local appeal. As with most of the WFL teams, the Hawaiians opening day roster was very different midway through the season but this was a team that truly was in flux for all of 1974. Quarterback was more or less willed to Ole Miss standout Norris Weese except that NFL retread Randy Johnson played almost as much. Even former N.Y. Giants head coach (and current Raven offensive coordinator) Jim Fassel had the time to throw thirty-six passes. Leading rusher Al “Sonny” Davis wasn’t even on the roster for the start of the season and his backfield mate Ernie O’Leary was better known as a lifeguard than a running back at the start of camp. Vince Clements, a running back with a big reputation on the east coast due to his exploits at the University Of Connecticut and later with the Giants (after starting his NFL career with the Vikings) joined the Hawaiians midway through the 1974 season. Tim Delaney had a storied career at San Diego State in Don Coryell’s high-powered offense, with gaudy statistics that outstripped his more publicized teammates Gary Garrison and Haven Moses. However, no one expected this lightening-quick receiver to lead the entire WFL in receptions, and he did so in decisive fashion, having twenty-three more receptions than Rick Eber of the Texans/Steamer, his nearest receiving rival. John Isenbarger who had led the University Of Indiana to the Rose Bowl years before proved to be a capable compliment to Delaney. On paper their defense looked as if it could be stout with former Cowboy and Charger Ron East, University Of Hawaii great Levi Stanley, and Greg Wojcik fortifying the defensive line. Wojcik’s claim to fame was that he was traded from the Rams to the Chargers in 1972 as part of the Deacon Jones deal. Unfortunately the Hawaiians defense was one of the league’s most porous and it was left to their potent offense to make up “lost ground” in most games. In an effort to shore up the linebacking corps, Adrian Young, former USC All America and one of the leaders of their “Wild Bunch” defense was brought in. Young had gained a measure of notoriety as the running buddy of Tim Rossovich at both USC and with the Philadelphia Eagles. Almost five years with the Eagles, a few games with the Lions and Bears and Young no doubt believed his career to be over. However, he joined the Hawaiians midway through the season and proved to be valuable as both a player and coach. Karl Lorch had been a standout defensive end and tackle at USC and then was drafted by the Dolphins in the ninth round of the 1973 draft. He didn’t make it but as a “Hawaii boy” who had been a star at Kamehameha High School, he jumped at the opportunity to play “at home” with the new WFL team. He later played for the Redskins from 1976 through 1981 after his two years with the Hawaiians. In the revamped WFL playoff system forced by the disbandment of a number of teams, the Hawaiians entered the first playoff round and beat the Sun 32-14. In the semi-final game, they lost to eventual league champion Birmingham in a close 22-19 game that came down to a fourth quarter touchdown. The Hawaiians did enough things right that Hemmetter and Battisone were not ready to call it quits at the end of the 1974 season and the team was popular among their Island fans. The Hawaiian uniforms were also popular with their brown jerseys that were made to look very crisp by their red and gold trim. The helmets were a Sunflower gold that had a distinctive Hawaiian warrior logo. However, in at least one pre-season game, the Hawaiians wore a brown helmet with a red center stripe flanked by two gold stripes and it is pictured on the cover of their 1974 media guide. The contrasting white jersey also had a nice look to it and the distinctive Hawaiian warrior logo is one of the more memorable of the WFL. The TK helmet was used by many of the WFL players during the 1974 and 75 seasons. Reprodction TK helmet with 12 point suspension, leather jaw pads and special set up with OPO cage and BNO-2 U bar. Without question the nicest full size WFL helmets on the market. Look for all 25 models. As you know Helmethut com has the ability to stripe/number or customize (parts/masks and accessories) your helmets in hundreds of ways. Let us know if you want to make any changes to your helmet. Keep looking back for more auctions, literally thousands of football helmet related items on the way. If in need of something in particular give us a shout. Thanks for viewing and please do not ask for team logos of any league. All helmets come with an internal, non seen, no wear bar. Feel free to email any questions. Thank you. HH

Price: 249 USD

Location: Warsaw, Indiana

End Time: 2025-01-08T13:55:05.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD