Macon Whoopee

The Macon Coliseum was built in 1968, and in 1973 the Macon Whoopees made their debut in the Southern Hockey League.

Before the end of the first season, the IRS closed them down and bolted the doors -- on Valentines day of 1974, no less. Hockey did not return for another 23 years, with the "s" dropped from the end of the mascot name.

The Whoopee resurfaced in the Central Hockey League in 1996-97, and eventually changed the logo from a fig leaf to an angry whooping crane with a bee on the blade of his stick (the "bird and the bee" being a play on the team name).

The No. 99 jersey of Cleland "Keke" Mortson hangs from the rafters in the Macon Coliseum. It is one of only two numbers retired (No. 7 for the fans is the other). Mortson was the coach and team captain of the Macon Whoopees during the 1973-74 season. He scored 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) in 59 games before the team was folded by the IRS.

Following the end of the 2000-01 season, the franchise rights to the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks were leased to the Macon Whoopee for one year, with an option for one additional year. The Macon Whoopee moved up to the ECHL for the 2001-02 season.

Season Division GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA PIM Results

1973-74 SHL 62 22 38 2 0 46 244 290 1233

1996-97 CHLE 66 38 24 4 0 80 276 237 1642

1997-98 CHLE 70 38 25 7 0 83 249 234 1621 Lost in round 1

1998-99 CHLE 70 35 26 0 9 79 240 234 1468 Lost in round 1

1999-00 CHLE 70 34 26 0 10 78 259 237 2044 Lost in round 2

2000-01 CHLE 70 23 36 0 11 57 218 262 1867

Directory Information

Macon Whoopees
President
Open
Vice President
Open
Higgins Resigns as Whoopee GM;
Roberts to Run Club
Director of Sales
Darren Roberts
Head Coach
Gord Dineen
Account Executive
Stacy Starling
Director of Public Relations/Broadcasting
Turk Stevens
Office Assistant
Sandy Manley
Trainer
Mike Hanngegan
Equipment Manager
Kris Nichols
Macon Whoopee

Home Arena
Macon Coliseum
Address
200 Coliseum Drive
Macon Centreplex
Macon, Ga. 31217
(478) 471-1000
FAX (478) 464-0655
Capacity
7,100
Rink Dimensions
200' x 85'
Box Office Phone
(478) 752-1600
Press Box Phone
(478) 741-7890
Press Box Location
Secion 208/222 - Upper Level
Host Hotel
Fairfield Inn, 1-75
Team Colors
Red, Black, White
Radio Station
WMKS 92.3
TV & Radio Broadcaster
Turk Stevens