West Michigan ThunderHawks | |||
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Established 2007 Folded 2011 Played in L. C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan |
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League/conference affiliations | |||
Continental Indoor Football League (2007–2008)
Indoor Football League (2009–2010)
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Team colors | Navy Blue, Powder Blue, Gold |
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Personnel | |||
President | Don Pringle | ||
General manager | Rob Preston | ||
Head coach | Terry Foster | ||
Team history | |||
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Championships | |||
League championships (0) 0 |
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Conference championships (0) 0 |
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Division championships (0) 0 |
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Playoff appearances (2) | |||
2007, 2008 | |||
Home arena(s) | |||
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Continental Indoor Football League (2007–2008)
Indoor Football League (2009–2010)
The West Michigan ThunderHawks were an indoor football team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The team was most recently a member of the Indoor Football League. From their inception in 2007 until 2009, the ThunderHawks were known as the Muskegon Thunder and played at L.C. Walker Arena (in their first two seasons they played in the Continental Indoor Football League). In 2010, the team moved to Grand Rapids, MI. This is where the downfall of the team took place. The season started off hopeful with a 5-2 record. After week 7 the players were promised money at a later date as long as they played (money that they never received). Starting in 2010 the ThunderHawks played their home games at the DeltaPlex Arena, in nearby Walker, Michigan. The Thunderhawks did not field a team in 2011.
For their first season, the Thunder had Shane Fairfield as head coach. Fairfield was an accomplished local high school football coach, as he led the Holton Red Devils to a conference championship as well as two back to back district championships against Muskegon Catholic. Prior to that he coached his alma mater Muskegon Catholic Central, and Muskegon High School.
For their first season with their brand-new identity the Head Coach and defensive coordinator was Detroit native, Terry Foster. Foster was once a star for the Grand Valley State University team, and played in the Arena Football League for the Grand Rapids Rampage. In 2006, Foster was an assistant coach for the Rampage. Offensive coordinator Brent White almost mirrored Fairfield's path from Muskegon to Holton, playing for the Big Reds from 1999 to 2002 and then stepping off the field as assistant JV coach at Holton. Soon their after, he quickly became offensive coordinator for the Holton Red Devils where he led his team to some record-breaking performances.