Dave Pound, born in Los Angeles in 1937, began skating with the Derby in 1955 before leaving the IRDL in 1963 to join the NSD, where he became the first coach of the Chicago Hawks. A phenomenal skater and respected by colleagues, Pound moved freely between leagues, though his hard-hitting style left him with many injuries. By 1970 the Hawks had grown into a formidable “red-shirt” team, wearing bold orange-and-brown uniforms and, under the guidance of Lester Quarles, becoming a major presence in Roller Games.

The Hawks also gained pop culture fame in 1977 when The Six Million Dollar Man featured Lee Majors skating for both the Hawks and Thunderbirds, with future rocker Rick Springfield appearing as well. But it was 1978 when the Hawks truly came alive. Led by flamboyant field manager Roberto “El Fabuloso” Juarez, veterans Candi Mitchell, Peggy Fowler, rising star Stephanie Garcia, and the dynamic Jackson Brothers, the Hawks stormed to an undefeated regular season. Harold Jackson was acrobatic, fearless, and dubbed “Mr. Mean” for his rough play and crowd-drawing charisma, while his larger brother Bernie was an immovable wall who combined toughness with surprising agility. With strong support from Kenny Saunders, Neal Chambers, Victor Redmond, and up-and-comers Ted Marolf, Tony Trujillo, and Stevie Santillian, the Hawks became one of the most exciting squads in league history. Although they narrowly lost the World Series to the Thunderbirds, 1978 was remembered by many Hawks skaters as their best season ever.

In 1979, Roller Games rode the national roller-skating craze fueled by films like Roller Boogie and Skatetown. The Hawks again emerged as one of the Thunderbirds’ biggest rivals, still drawing huge crowds at the Olympic Auditorium. Juarez’s colorful promotion and Harold Jackson’s electrifying presence kept them in the spotlight, even as Bernie left for the Outlaws. Harold carried the Hawks, blending athleticism with showmanship, while Bernie remained a fan favorite for his size, power, and surprising speed. Their rivalry with the Thunderbirds culminated in another dramatic championship series, which the T-Birds won, but not before the Hawks made it memorable with match races and heated battles.

By the end of the decade, the Hawks had secured their place as the premier red-shirt opposition team. Unlike the Devils, Outlaws, or Bombers, they had never built a home squad, yet they consistently filled arenas and delivered some of Roller Games’ most intense contests. With rising stars emerging from Pico Rivera and attendance climbing, the Hawks entered the 1980s as a symbol of both the sport’s rough-edged past and its enduring entertainment power.