The Hawks remain the only sports franchise ever based in Iowa from any of the current Big Four Leagues.

The Waterloo Hawks were founded in 1948, playing in the National Basketball League.

Midway through the 1950–1951 season, the Washington Capitols folded as well, bringing the number of teams in the league down to ten.

West Division: Denver Refiners/Evansville Agogans, Saint Paul Lights, Kansas City Hi-Spots and Waterloo Hawks (Former NBA).

The confusion stems from an NBA publication from the 1960s which erroneously listed the current name of the arena and not its historical name.