National Lacrosse League (1974)
Tombstone
Born: 1974 – NLL founding franchise
Moved: 1975 (Long Island Tomahawks)
First Game: May 17, 1974 (W 26-21 vs. Syracuse Stingers)
Last Game: September 28, 1974 (W 14-12 vs. Philadelphia Wings)
Nations Cup Champions: 1974
Arena
Rochester War Memorial (7,200)11974 Philadelphia Wings Media Guide
Opened: 1955
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owners: Tad Potter, Tom Potter & Daniel Beggy
Formation & Championship Run
The Rochester Griffins were the class of the National Lacrosse League during the circuit’s debut season in the summer of 1974. The team played a fast break style under the direction of coach Morley Kells and advanced to the league championship series against the only team better in the regular season – the Philadelphia Wings. The Griffins took the best-of-seven series in six games, winning the title at home at the Rochester War Memorial before a sparse gathering of 2,525 fans.
Somebody dug up a fantastic full broadcast of Game Six from local Philadelphia television and posted it on YouTube – check it out below.
Move To Long Island
The crowds – or lack thereof – were a problem in Rochester all season. Out of town owners Tad and Tom Potter, investors in the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins franchise, threatened to move the team before the season was even out. At the end of the year, the Potters sold out to Detroit Red Wings owner Bruce Norris, who moved the championship club down to Long Island, where they were known as the Long Island Tomahawks in 1975.
The National Lacrosse League folded after the 1975 season.
Voices
“The box game combines the best features of outdoor field lacrosse with elements of basketball, hockey, soccer and thermonuclear holocaust.”
– Ron Reid of Sports Illustrated, covering the 1974 NLL championship series between the Rochester Griffins and the Philadelphia Wings.2Reid, Ron. “Only Fans Were A Myth”. Sports Illustrated. October 7, 1974
Rochester Griffins Shop
Rochester Griffins Video
Links
“Only Fans Were A Myth“, Ron Reid, Sports Illustrated, October 7, 1974
National Lacrosse League Media Guides
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3 Responses
When the modern NLL’s Rochester Knighthawks won their first title in 1997, they raised a banner for the 1974 Griffins alongside their own at the 1998 home opener.
It’s not an uncommon thing for Rochester sports champions to be so honored years after the fact. The city paid for and raised a banner commemorating the 1951 Royals sometime in the mid-90s.
merv marshall, the griffins goalie, ran the power play!! what a league!
I am a native of Buffalo and saw Rick Dudley play for the Griffins at a home game in Rochester. Dudley played a very aggressive and hard checking game. Good luck Bandits and all the N.L.L. teams.