9,069 fans attended the 'Hawks 1979 season opener as Jim Fisk scored Spokane's first TD in team history.  Nose guard Al Stalworth was voted Defensive Player of the Game.
 
After an outstanding inaugural season where the 'Hawks lost in the Northwest International League Championship in overtime to the Pierce County Bengals, news began to surface of problems in the Golden house.  Dick Seuss, originator of the team resigned after two games and in December, he along with Head Coach Davis and six other team officers were named in a lawsuit brought by former players.  Most notably was Robert Bynum, a former Morgan State standout from Los Angeles.  Bynum presented a letter from Seuss stating "...we will reimburse your travel expenses if you make a commitment to come here and play ball."  He also claimed promises of temporary housing and a job for his wife, who quit her job in California to accompany him to Spokane.  Guy Swick, Otis Mills and Clarence Leverett were other players listed as plaintiffs.  President James McClenahan claimed the team lost nearly $7,000 on the season and could not share any profits with players.
 
The 1980 'Hawks finished 2nd in league standings but were ousted from the playoffs when they violated league bylaws and forfeited a game to the Van-Port Thunderbirds citing financial difficulties.  The Thunderbirds refused to travel to Spokane after the 'Hawks no-show reportedly cost them $2,000 in lost gate proceeds and game expenses for the forfeit game, money they would have used for playoff travel.  The league reported that the Golden Hawks were on probation for a similar violation from the previous season.
 
Punter Stu Dodds (Montana State), recently released by the San Diego Chargers (7th round draft pick), punted 9 times for 406 yards (45.1 avg) against Burien on Aug 30.
 
In 1981 The Bank of Spokane sued the Golden Hawks for a loan in the amount of $10,592.  The bank also claimed $3,671 in unpaid checks were still outstanding when the account had insufficient funds in it.  James McClenahan, Calvin Graedel and John Plastino were named in the suit as officers of the team.  In June of 1981 a bench warrant was issued for McClenahan and Plastino in a $14, 263 judgment against them.

An effort to build the Spokane Expos for the 1981 season failed as the bad taste of the Golden Hawk lawsuits were still fresh and swirling around town.  It would be another 18-months before things calmed down and once again, Dick Suess found a group to help him bring another team to the field in the Spokane Fury.  In 1986, similar issues with finances arose and Spokane was without a team until the 2000's.

"Mean" Charles Green had workouts for the New York Giants, Arthur Allen with the Oakland Raiders, and Mike Childers punted with the Los Angeles Rams.
 

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