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The Charlotte News Y-E-E-EEOW! |
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The World Football League finally came to town last night and on the field at least, brought something less than success for the Charlotte Hornets. But in the packed stands of Memorial Stadium, 25, 133 fans presented a different story: Professional football was here and nothing else - even the score on this night - seemed to matter. They came in all shapes, sizes, styles of dress and degrees of sobriety to see the Hornets, the New York Stars of late, make their appearance. They applauded during warmups, unleashed war whoops at the conclusion of the invocation and sent a deafening din of noise through the chilly, 54 degree night air each time a Hornet touched the football.
Even the expiration of playing time and a 27-23 loss to the Memphis Southmen was greeted with a standing ovation from the thousands. The first glimpse of a Memphis uniform, several disputed officials calls and the introduction of local politicians brought the only boos of the evening. "I've seen plenty of football games and I think this one is just great," said Mrs. James Pitts, a Charlottean with a front row seat on the 30-yard line. "My husband and I have been going with friends for years to college games at Duke and Carolina and even to an occasional pro game in Washington. But I don't know any I've enjoyed more than this. "This sure is great for Charlotte, and we're going to be back at every game." Others in the stands voiced the same sentiments, though not always in words.
Two men, one apparently feeling the jubilation of a Hornet touchdown and another the joy of repeated trips to the beer line, tumbled off a five-foot rock wall surrounding the playing field. One landed at the feet of a city policeman but got to his feet undaunted. "Hell, officer, I haven't been drinking, Did you see that guy catch that pass?" The WFL, debut was a "happening" as much as a football game. Some made it a social event, chartering buses and having cocktails on board before entering the stadium. One such charter was taken by a group of 36 from the Hule Restaurant on South Blvd. "We're all from The Hule, man, and we figured this was the safest way to come," said one man, getting off the bus outside the stadium's south gate. "We paid $2 apiece to get the bus but it was worth it. I'd rather pay that than have to fight traffic and find a place to park. "We all got seats in the stands together, all 36 of us. We decided if we like this one we'd buy tickets for the rest of the games and do it again. And I like this one." The gates at Memorial Stadium were not scheduled to open until 6 p.m. but Marion Diehl, superintendent of the city's Park and Recreation Department, said fans began arriving long before that hour. "They started coming in before 5 o'clock and when we opened the gates a little after 6 there were several thousand already lined up," Diehl said. "The game was sold out, with a capacity of 25,133, a few minutes before kickoff. We were still getting calls about tickets but we had to tell them we were sorry, there were none left." Next Wednesday night, the Hornets host the Chicago Fire. Tickets for that game went on sale at two stadium booths last night and, by halftime more lines were forming.
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