The New York Knights were an Arena Football League (AFL) team based in New York City. They played in the league for one season, 1988. They played their home games at Madison Square Garden. After going 2–10 overall in their only season the team ceased operations. The league then went several years before attempting to re-enter the nation's largest media market with the New York CityHawks.
History
The Knights became an expansion team of the Arena Football League in 1988. The team announced Jim Valek as the first coach in franchise history. The team featured a couple of players from the 1987 New York Giants replacement team, including starting quarterback Jim Crocicchia and his primary receiver Edwin Lovelady, but its desire to fans was questioned before the team began playing games. The Knights won their first game in franchise history, 60–52 over the Los Angeles Cobras. During the Knights home opener, a fight erupted in the stands, and items were thrown on the field. After winning the season opener, the Knights lost 4 straight games before returning home to a smaller crowd, losing 22–36 to the Cobras. The Knights would lose 8 straight games before they defeated the Cobras 40–30 in Los Angeles. The team folded after a disappointing 2–8 season.
Notable players Roster New York Knights roster Quarterbacks Mark Casale Jim Crocicchia Stan Yagiello
Wide receivers/Defensive backs Lewis Bennett Greg Best Vince Courville Elbert Gray Stan Hunter Edwin Lovelady Jim Mauro Pat Morrison Rex Motes O'Donovan Murphy Ken Sanders Al Washington Fullbacks/Linebackers Derek Hughes Al Neri Johnny Shepherd
Offensive linemen/Defensive linemen Alec Gibson Mark Grandy Walter Housman Chris Jones Quinton Knight John Reed A. J. Sebastianelli Pete Walters Wide receivers/Linebackers Mark Streeter
Kickers *** Patrick Ragusa *** Injured Reserve Jack Kratochvil Eric Schubert
Rookies in italics Roster updated February 27, 2013 29 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS
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All-Arena players The following Knights players were named to All-Arena Teams: WR/DB Vince Courville OL/DL Quinton Knight
Head coaches Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards W L T Win% W LJim Valek210000
Season results
ArenaBowl championsArenaBowl appearanceDivision championsPlayoff berth
SeasonLeagueConferenceDivisionRegular seasonPostseason resultsFinishWinsLossesNew York Knights1988AFL-—6th210Total210(includes only regular season)00(includes only the postseason)210(includes both regular season and postseason)
References
External links