In 2004, USA Today named Wharton Field House one of the top places to watch high school basketball.

In the 1920s, Wharton was President of the Moline High School Athletic Booster Club and organized a group, the Maroon and White Association, to raise funds for construction of a field house.

Under owners Leo Ferris and Ben Kerner, the franchise started in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons, before relocating mid-season to the Tri-Cities (now called Quad Cities) area after only 13 total games.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame player William Pop Gates was on the 1946–47 Blackhawks, helping to integrate the league.

In 1950, Kerner drafted Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player Bob Cousy in the 1st round (#4).

Two-time NBA All-Star Frankie Brian was the leading scorer on the 1950–51 Hawks during their last season in Moline.

Auerbach later served as Boston's general manager, (drafting Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and others) building seven more NBA championship teams.

[16] Wharton Field House is the current and longtime home of the Moline Maroons basketball and volleyball teams.

[18][4] Entertainers: Gene Autry, Chuck Berry (1972), Jack Benny, Blue Öyster Cult (1972), Victor Borge, The Byrds (1969), Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline,[19] Bill Haley and the Comets, The Kingston Trio, Martin and Lewis, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.