On This Date: November 26 1977 - Stick-Wielding Harry Neale Attacks Birmingham Fans and is Issued an Arrest Warrant.

November 26, 1977, Birmingham Alabama:

On Thanksgiving night New England Whalers Coach Harry Neale, angered as Bulls fans threw ice, beer, and debris at Whalers players, invaded the crowd and began swinging a hockey stick at the drunken Dixie spectators. Neale was eventually restrained by the police.

The next day the police questioned Neale, and after the interrogation he jumped into a cab, screamed "Get me out of here!" to the driver and—a $120 fare later—arrived in Atlanta.

Two Alabama state troopers were stationed behind the visiting team's bench at the next game in Birmingham.