| The History of the Wollongong Mustangs |
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| In July 1991 an exhibition game of American Football between college teams from Arizona and Idaho was played at Brandon Park, Wollongong drawing a crowd of 8000. Seizing upon the interest generated by that game and the popularity of the sport on television, several Illawarra based players who had been playing with the Sutherland Seahawks decided to start a gridiron club in Wollongong.
Recruiting began in September 1991 and about 80 interested players attended an information meeting. Over the coming weeks this was soon whittled down to around 30. Those initially impressed by the uniform and the glamour of the game were soon awakened by the costs, commitment and energy needed to play gridiron. Those veterans from the Seahawks – Hugh V’Cortez, John Boss, Zoran Janevski and Ben and Paul Curcio became the club’s first coaching staff. Though John Boss’ connection with the Wollongong TAFE College the team had a training base and place to store equipment. Sponsorship overtures were made to a local softdrink supplier which might have see the club playing in red and blue and known as the Pepsi Patriots, but the company rejested the proposal. In the end sponsorship was secured from a local McDonalds franchise and the North Wollongong Hotel, and with a favourable exchange rate with the US dollar, the team was able to purchase equipment. The club’s colours of cardinal and gold were in part determined by the McDonalds sponsorship and the players were given a vote on two team names beginning with M so the logo could be incorporated in the club’s decal – in the end the Mustangs won out over the Mavericks as the proposed name for the new club. The club promoted itself in shopping centres, and by taking part McDonald’s McHappy Days and mini fun runs in full gear. President – John Boss Secretary – Hugh V’Cortez Treasurer – Glenn Blackley Equipment – Zoran Janevski Field – Paul & Ben Curcio Committee – Steve Murphy Committee – Mike Stottmeister Cheerleaders – Cheryl Stottmeister Manager – Dallas Lewis |
| Head Coaches |
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1992 – Hugh V’Cortez 1993 – Jim Minogue 1994 – Jim Minogue 1995 – John Boss 1996 – John Boss 1997 – John Boss 1998 – John Boss 1999 – John Boss 2000 – John Boss 2001 – John Boss 2002 – John Boss/ Phil Scott 2003 – John Boss 2004 – John Boss 2005 – Anthony Maxwell 2006 – Anthony Maxwell 2007 – Dennis Jackson 2008 – Mitch Hunt 2009 – No coach – did not participate 2010 – Vaughan Swart 2011 – Mitch Hunt 2012 – Dennis Sentelle Jr The Wollongong Mustangs has also been greatful to American ex-pats who have shared their knowledge with the coaching staff over the years and would like to acknowledge the assistance given by Tim Macgill, Chris Hayes, Dan Silvy and Phil Scott in those early years. |
| Roll of Honour |
| Australian Representatives Peter Smith Glenn Fenwick Michael Harvey Brad Golledge Jordie Stalker |
| NSW Representatives Peter Smith Garth Hittman Michael Stottmeister Paul Johnston Darren Blair Julian Musgrove David McKinney Kazu Miyata Danny Grammel Nathan Lane Michael Harvey Tim Campbell Mark Wicks Greg Evers Michael Bryant Andrew Walsh Scott Delfs Mitch Haney Mitch Hunt Brad Golledge Scott Kirkwood |
| Retired Jerseys |






