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Bob Sweet organized the Portland Thunderbirds in July 1962 after
playing as the Portland Pioneers
in 1961. The Pioneers were created as an alumni challenge team
for Lewis & Clark College.
Charlie Ganter helped lead the T-Birds to an 8-3 record while
setting a then-regional record 27
touchdown passes. Ganter would be signed by the Calgary
Stampede, but a knee injury ended his run in the Canadian League
returning to the T-Birds as a backup QB in 1966 and was set to
become the Portland coach in 1967. Charlie Ganter was the Team
MVP, League 1st Team QB and Northwest's
Top Player for 1964.
Dick Wiese, replacing Charlie Ganter in 1965 threw for 3 TD's in the
season opener blowing out Tacoma 41-7.
The former Pacific University star would be named Pacific League
Rookie of the Year and a repeat 8-3 record. Wiese would be
inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame in 2015 in
Independence, Oregon.
A week later, coach Tom Hughes grants the release of place kicker
Tom Roach. Hughes already had Steve Clark and was sticking
with Clark as his kicker. Roach would catch on with the
Eugene Bombers and go on to be one
of the best kickers in the Continental Football League in '68 and
'69.
Frank Leahy Jr., son of the former Notre Dame coach, would take the
head job in 1965 and guide the team to a strong start.
Jim Hollingsworth, 6'4" 235-pound end, was signed by the Boston
Patriots in January 1966 after an All-Star 1965 season. Prior
to his 1965 season, Hollingsworth had garnered interest from the San
Francisco 49ers before being released on July 26.
Hollingsworth was the most dangerous receiver of his era, setting a
then record 861-yards receiving and over 27-yards per reception
during the 1965 season.
Aug 6, 1966: A working agreement was signed between the
Portland Thunderbirds of the Pacific Football League and the Denver
Broncos of the American Football League. Frank Leahy Jr.,
general manager of the Thunderbirds, said the Broncos would send out
young players for seasoning. Leahy said he expected other
Pacific League teams to have similar agreements with other pro
clubs.
An August 30, 1966 it was announced that Leahy resigned as chairman
of the corporation attempting to launch the United States Football
League (USFL). Leahy remained GM of the Pacific Football
League. Fullback Raye Renfro signed in 1966. Against
Edmonds in week 2, Scott Miller
hauled in 7 passes for 183 yards, including a 67-yard TD.
The Thunderbirds were a casualty of expansion, when in 1967 the
Continental League took the Eugene Bombers and the
Seattle Ramblers ended operations
giving way to the Seattle Rangers.
The announcement came in August of 1967 that the Thunderbirds were
closed for business.
Charlie Ganter would become head coach of the 1982
Washington County Grizzlies
leading the team to the Northwest International League championship
over the Steelheads in the
franchise first season.
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