Mustangs History

 

The History of the Wollongong Mustangs
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.

Recruitment Article

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.
The initial club committee comprised:

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

John Boss

Phil Scott

Jim Minogue


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

Garth Hittman # 45

John Boss #94

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