Portland Loggers Explained

Founded:1969
League:Continental Football League
Arena:Multnomah Stadium
City:Portland, Oregon
Coach:Chuck Fenenbock
Gm:Al King
Championships:none
Titles:none

The Portland Loggers were a professional American football team based in Portland, Oregon. They were members of the Continental Football League and only lasted one year. Featuring much of the roster of the defunct Orange County Ramblers, the team was originally known as the Hawaii Warriors, but were relocated from Honolulu to Portland just 18 days before the start of the 1969 season. The team played at Multnomah Stadium in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland. They were coached by retired running back Chuck Fenenbock. New York Giants alum Len Younce served as Portland's linebackers coach.[1] Al King, who was formerly the director of promotions of the Denver Broncos, served as the Loggers general manager and Paul O' Halloran was the team's president.[2]

During the Loggers first game, a pre-season matchup against the Las Vegas Cowboys at Cashman Field on August 10, 1969, an electrical storm caused a power outage to the stadium. After waiting 45 minutes in vain for the power to be restored, officials called the game final at a score of 34–7, in favor of the Cowboys, with 9:45 left in the contest.[3]

To boost attendance towards the end of the season, team owners held several promotions at one game, including their November 16 game against the Spokane Shockers where it was "Ladies Night", "Boy Scout Night", "Chamber of Commerce Night" and "Picture Night". In October the team stopped holding their practices at Multnomah Stadium and started using the football field at Central Catholic High School. In late October the Loggers received placekicker Momčilo Gavrić on loan from the National Football League (NFL) San Francisco 49ers. Ultimately, only 25,157 fans attended the Loggers' six home games, or 4,192 per contest.[4]

The Loggers were mentioned as a team that could have potentially played in a 1970 iteration of the Continental Football League, one that would have been based only in the western United States. The team was shut down in April 1970.[5]

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
E1August 9at Las Vegas CowboysL 7–340–0Cashman Field7,000
1August 24Fort Worth BravesW 17–101–0Multnomah Stadium2,316
2August 30at Fort Worth BravesL 22–301–1Farrington Field10,266
3September 7Spokane ShockersW 32–142–1Multnomah Stadium4,303
4September 13at Seattle RangersL 20–232–2Memorial Stadium6,065
5September 20at Spokane ShockersL 17–232–3Joe Albi Stadium2,300
6September 28Sacramento CapitolsL 7–182–4Multnomah Stadium3,308
7October 14at Sacramento CapitolsL 7–272–5Charles C. Hughes Stadium5,412
8October 21at Las Vegas CowboysL 13–422–6Cashman Field4,700
9October 26Seattle RangersW 27–243–6Multnomah Stadium6,160
10November 9at Seattle RangersL 20–443–7Memorial Stadium5,471
11November 16Spokane ShockersL 27–593–8Multnomah Stadium2,038
12November 23Las Vegas CowboysL 10–343–9Multnomah Stadium4,688

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Younce in grid role . 8 April 2023 . The Columbian . United Press International . 12 August 1969 . Vancouver, Washington . 19.
  2. News: Al King Gets Loggers Post . 8 April 2023 . Kitsap Sun . United Press International . 23 August 1969 . Kitsap, Washington . 11.
  3. News: Portland Loggers open pre-season slate losing . 8 April 2023 . The Columbian . United Press International . 11 August 1969 . Vancouver, Washington . 14.
  4. http://www.profootballarchives.com/1969coflpor.html 1969 Portland Loggers
  5. Web site: Spokane Daily Chronicle - Google News Archive Search. December 21, 2014.