A charter member of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA), it played its home games at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The Riverhawks began play in 1999 as the Topeka Knights of the original Indoor Football League.

During the playoffs, it defeated the Black Hills Machine during the quarterfinal round before losing to the Bismarck Blaze in the semifinals.

It was subsequently re-founded by Andrew Haines, owner of the Atlantic Indoor Football League.

On March 26, 2006, the Riverhawks lost the AIFL's very first overtime game 41-38 against the Reading Express at home.