Sports in Pennsylvania
Sports in Pennsylvania includes numerous professional sporting teams, events, and venues located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Major league professional teams
Pennsylvania is home to eight teams from the five major American professional sports leagues.
Club | League | Division | Venue | Location | Founded | Titles in Pa. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia 76ers | NBA | Atlantic | Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia | 1946 | 2 |
Philadelphia Eagles | NFL | NFC East | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | 1933 | 4 |
Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | Metropolitan | Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia | 1967 | 2 |
Philadelphia Phillies | MLB | NL East
|
Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia | 1883 | 2 |
Philadelphia Union | MLS | Eastern | Subaru Park | Chester | 2010 | 0 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | MLB | NL Central
|
PNC Park | Pittsburgh | 1881 | 5 |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | Metropolitan | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh | 1967 | 5 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL | AFC North | Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh | 1933 | 6 |
Major league professional championships
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)3 NFL championships (pre–Super Bowl) 1 Super Bowl title Frankford Yellow Jackets (NFL)1 NFL championship (pre–Super Bowl) Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)6 Super Bowl titles Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)2 Stanley Cup titles Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)5 Stanley Cup titles Philadelphia Athletics (MLB)5 World Series titles |
Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)2 World Series titles Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)5 World Series titles Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)2 NBA Finals titles Pittsburgh Pipers (ABA)1 ABA Finals title Philadelphia Atoms (NASL)1 Soccer Bowl / NASL Final title
|
Football
Football is the most popular sport in Pennsylvania, especially in the Lehigh Valley, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Central Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. Western Pennsylvania in particular was home to some of the earliest moments in football history, and the earliest professional clubs played in the Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit. Pudge Heffelfinger was the first known professional football player, while John Brallier was the first openly professional player. The Allegheny Athletic Association fielded the first entirely openly professional team in 1896.[1] In 1902, three Pennsylvania teams founded the National Football League (which has no ties to today's NFL), the first attempt at a national professional football league. Jim Thorpe, a multi-sport athlete who played in the NFL and won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania is named after him.
Today, football is popular on all levels, from high school, college, and professionally. The high school games get regular attention in the local newspapers and games regularly draw over 10,000 fans. Pennsylvania produces several college and professional players every year, and Western Pennsylvania is noted for being the home of numerous quarterbacks, including Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and Johnny Unitas.
Professionally, the
Pennsylvania has also been home to two defunct NFL franchises, both of which played in the 1920s. The Pottsville Maroons played in Pottsville, Pennsylvania; the franchise is notable for its part in the 1925 NFL Championship controversy. Frankford (a neighborhood in Philadelphia) also briefly had its own team in the 1920s, known as the Frankford Yellow Jackets. The team won the 1926 NFL Championship, but disbanded during the Great Depression. A third NFL franchise, the Dallas Texans, was briefly headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania during the 1952 season. Pennsylvania also had teams in four national leagues that competed with the NFL: the 1920s AFL, the 1930s AFL, the World Football League, and the USFL.
Philadelphia was also home to an
In addition to NFL and arena football teams, Pennsylvania is also home to minor professional teams from numerous other leagues. Men's teams include the
Baseball
Baseball is one of the more popular sports in Pennsylvania. The state has both major league and minor league baseball teams. The two major league baseball teams in Pennsylvania are the
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were also the home of numerous defunct and relocated major league franchises, including the
Pennsylvania is the original home of Little League Baseball. In 1939, Carl Stotz founded Little League Baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Little League World Series is held every year in South Williamsport.
Minor league baseball
As of 2021, Pennsylvania has nine
Geographic name | Team | Stadium | Est.[2] | Level | League | Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lehigh Valley | IronPigs | Coca-Cola Park | 2008 | Triple-A | International League | Philadelphia Phillies |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre | Railriders | PNC Field | 1989 | Triple-A | International League | New York Yankees |
Altoona | Curve | Peoples Natural Gas Field | 1999 | Double-A | Eastern League | Pittsburgh Pirates |
Erie | SeaWolves | UPMC Park | 1995 | Double-A | Eastern League | Detroit Tigers |
Harrisburg | Senators | FNB Field | 1987 | Double-A | Eastern League | Washington Nationals |
Reading | Fightin Phils | FirstEnergy Stadium | 1967 | Double-A | Eastern League | Philadelphia Phillies |
Lancaster | Stormers | Clipper Magazine Stadium | 2003 | N/A | Atlantic League | Independent |
York | Revolution | WellSpan Park | 2006 | N/A | Atlantic League | Independent |
Washington | Wild Things | Wild Things Park | 1997 | N/A | Frontier League | Independent |
Basketball
Unlike the other
Pittsburgh briefly had a team in the Basketball Association of America known as the Pittsburgh Ironmen, and an American Basketball Association franchise called the Pittsburgh Condors, but no NBA franchise has ever called Pittsburgh home.
In addition to the 76ers, Pennsylvania also has a few other professional basketball teams. The
Pennsylvania has never had a team in the Women's National Basketball Association, the top women's basketball league in the United States.
The Philadelphia area has produced NBA players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Paul Arizin, while Pete Maravich was from Aliquippa.
Ice hockey
Due in large part to Pennsylvania's cold winter climate and the state's geographic location in the Northeast, hockey is fairly popular throughout Pennsylvania. In all, seven professional hockey teams call Pennsylvania home, including two NHL teams.
Perhaps the strongest current in-state professional sports rivalry is between the
The Hershey Bears are renowned for being the oldest existing AHL franchise, and the oldest existing hockey franchise outside of the NHL's Original Six. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, also of the AHL, are the primary development team of the Philadelphia Flyers and play their home games at PPL Center in Allentown.
Pennsylvania is notable for being one of the few states with a team in the Canadian Hockey League, and the state was also home to the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League, one of the first professional hockey leagues. In addition to the two current NHL teams that joined the league in the 1960s, Pennsylvania also had an NHL franchise in the 1920s: a hockey team named the Pirates played in the NHL for five seasons before moving to Philadelphia and becoming the Philadelphia Quakers. The franchise disbanded after its only season in Philadelphia. Philadelphia also briefly had a WHA franchise.
A number of notable current and former professional hockey players are Pennsylvania natives:
Minor league & major junior hockey
Geographic name | Team | Stadium | Est.[2] | League | Affiliation[5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hershey | Bears | Giant Center | 1932 | AHL | Washington Capitals |
Lehigh Valley | Phantoms | PPL Center | 2014 | AHL | Philadelphia Flyers |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | Penguins | Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza | 1999 | AHL | Pittsburgh Penguins |
Reading | Royals | Santander Arena | 1991 | ECHL | Philadelphia Flyers |
Erie | Otters | Erie Insurance Arena | 1996 | OHL | |
Johnstown | Tomahawks | 1st Summit Bank Arena | 1990 | NAHL |
Soccer
Pennsylvania has three active professional outdoor soccer teams. Since 2010,
Pennsylvania has a long history with soccer. The first professional American soccer league, the
Pennsylvania-based clubs have captured the U.S. Open Cup a total of 14 times, the third-most among states, and Pennsylvania teams have won the National Amateur Cup several times. Pennsylvania has also been home to numerous soccer players, including Walter Bahr, the captain of the U.S. national team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
Minor league soccer
Geographic name | Team | Stadium | Est.[2] | League | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh | Riverhounds SC | Highmark Stadium | 1998 | USLC | Independent |
Philadelphia | Union II | Subaru Park | 2015 | MLSNP | Philadelphia Union |
Lehigh Valley | United | Rocco Calvo Field | 2009 | USL 2 | Independent |
Reading | United AC |
Alvernia Turf Field | 1996 | USL 2 | Philadelphia Union |
Philadelphia | Lone Star FC | South Philadelphia Athletic Super Site | 2001 | USL 2 | Independent |
Electric City | Shock SC |
Fitzpatrick Field | 2013 | NPSL | Independent |
Erie | Commodores FC | Saxon Stadium | 2009 | NPSL | Independent |
Hershey | Hershey FC | Hershey High School |
2013 | NPSL | Independent |
Pennsylvania | Classics AC | Spooky Nook Sports Lancaster | 2015 | NPSL | Independent |
Lancaster | Inferno FC | Pucillo Field | 2008 | USL W League | Independent |
College teams
There are fourteen NCAA Division I schools spread across Pennsylvania. In addition to the Division I schools listed below, there are also several other college athletic programs in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is home to several prominent
Since the
List of championships
Championships won by Pennsylvania teams in NCAA Division I FBS football,[8] NCAA Division I Men's Basketball,[9] and the five major leagues (MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, NASL/MLS):
- 1895 Penn Quakers
- 1896 Lafayette Leopards
- 1897 Penn Quakers
- 1904 Penn Quakers
- 1908 Penn Quakers
- 1918 Pittsburgh Panthers
- 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1910 Philadelphia Athletics
- 1910 Pittsburgh Panthers
- 1911 Philadelphia Athletics
- 1911 Penn State Nittany Lions
- 1912 Penn State Nittany Lions
- 1913 Philadelphia Athletics
- 1916 Pittsburgh Panthers
- 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1926 Frankford Yellow Jackets
- 1929 Philadelphia Athletics
- 1930 Philadelphia Athletics
- 1937 Pittsburgh Panthers
- 1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors[10]
- 1948 Philadelphia Eagles
- 1949 Philadelphia Eagles
- 1953–54 La Salle Explorers
- 1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors
- 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1960 Philadelphia Eagles
- 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers
- 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1973 Philadelphia Atoms
- 1974–1975 Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1975–1976 Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1976 Pittsburgh Panthers
- 1978–1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers
- 1974-75 Philadelphia Flyers
- 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates
- 1979–1980 Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1980 Philadelphia Phillies
- 1982 Penn State Nittany Lions
- 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers
- 1984–85 Villanova Wildcats
- 1986 Penn State Nittany Lions
- 1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins
- 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2005-06 Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2008 Philadelphia Phillies
- 2008-09 Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2015–16 Villanova Wildcats
- 2016–17 Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2017 Philadelphia Eagles
- 2017–18 Villanova Wildcats
Lacrosse
Lacrosse in Pennsylvania has a long history. Lehigh, Swarthmore, and Penn were early members of the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, and lacrosse is now played at many Pennsylvania colleges. Pennsylvania has had professional lacrosse teams such as the Philadelphia Wings and the Pittsburgh Bulls, and the Wings have now returned to action, beginning in 2018.
Olympians
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2014) |
- Giddeon Massie of Quakertown, member, 2004 Bicycling team
- John Woodruff of Connellsville, gold medal, 1936, in 800-meters event
- Catherine "Kit" Klein of Harrisburg, gold and bronze, 1932 Olympics, 1936 Olympics, speed skater, World Record – 1000 meters (1935), World Record – 3000 meters (1936), 1936 World Champion
- Roger Kingdom of Monroeville, gold medal in both 1984 and 1988 Olympics, 110m hurdles
- Kurt Angle, 1996 freestyle wrestling gold medalist
- track & field Olympian in the 800 meters in 1984 and 1988. She also holds National High School Records and PIAA state records and was a Penn Relayschampion
- 2004, silver medal winner, women's 100m track, native of Rochester, Pennsylvania
- Marty Nothstein of Trexlertown, gold medal, 2000, Cycling
- Elliottsburg, eighth place, 2008, Field Hockey
- Michael Shine of Youngsville, Pennsylvania, silver medal, 400m hurdles at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Bicycle racing
Pennsylvania hosts the Pro Cycling Tour "Triple Crown of Cycling" bicycle races each June, with the
Floyd Landis, of Farmersville was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title due to prohibited doping.
Motorsports
The
Dirt track racing
Dirt ovals include Dunn Hill 2 Speedway in
Other motorsport venues
Asphalt ovals in Pennsylvania include Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown, Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton, Motordome Speedway in Smithton (closed), Mountain Speedway in St. Johns, Nazareth Speedway in Nazareth (closed), and Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, CNB Bank Raceway Park Formerly known as Central PA Speedway Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Drag Strips include Beaver Springs Dragway in Beaver Springs, Lucky Drag City in Wattsburg, Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Numidia Raceway in Numidia, Pittsburgh Raceway Park in New Alexandria, and South Mountain Dragway in Boiling Springs.
Road Courses include
Horse racing
Pennsylvania has a long history of horse racing, as the sport was one of the few that was not banned in 17th century Pennsylvania. William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, reportedly raced his horses down the streets of Philadelphia.[11] Stephen Foster wrote the song "Camptown Races" about horse racing in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia-area businessman Samuel D. Riddle owned prominent horses Man o' War and War Admiral.
Smarty Jones, the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, was owned by Roy Chapman and wife Patricia. Smarty Jones was bred at Chapman's Someday Farm (Patricia explains the name: "Some day we were going to do this and some day we were going to do that. And my husband said, 'I think we ought to call it Someday Farm,' so we did.") near Philadelphia, and had Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) as his home course.[12]
Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, came from Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jackson's Lael Stables in West Grove. After suffering injuries in the Preakness Stakes on May 20, 2006, Barbaro was treated for laminitis. He developed further complications, and was euthanized on January 29, 2007.
Golf
PGA Tour tournaments in Pennsylvania include the 84 Lumber Classic, played at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic, played at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Scranton. There is also the PGT (Pittsburgh Golfers Tour) which is people from all over the east coast joining a club where the owner schedules tournaments all over the state.
Arnold Palmer, winner of seven major golf championships and 62 PGA Tour events, was from Latrobe. Jim Furyk, winner of the 2003 U.S. Open and 2010 Tour Championship, grew up near Lancaster.
Wrestling
Pennsylvania is an area of the United States that features some of the most elite levels of high school wrestling and collegiate wrestling.[13] Many of the top collegiate wrestlers are produced from Pennsylvania,[14] with Pennsylvania's own Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic serving as a national level high school All-Star event, featuring the top PA wrestlers in a dual team match against the top wrestlers from other states in the country.[15] It was started in 1975 as the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic,[16] sponsored by Dapper Dan Charities.[17]
During the 2010s, the Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team won eight national championships. Many Pennsylvania wrestlers have also represented the U.S. on the international circuit, including on Team USA World and Olympic teams. Notable Pennsylvania wrestlers include Kurt Angle (from Mt. Lebanon), Nate Carr (from Erie), Stanley Dziedzic (from Allentown), Carlton Haselrig (from Johnstown), Jake Herbert (from Pittsburgh), Cary Kolat (from Rices Landing), Spencer Lee (from Saegertown), Jason Nolf (from Yatesboro), Jordan Oliver (from Easton), Zain Retherford (from Benton), Ed Ruth (from Harrisburg), Coleman Scott (from Waynesburg), Wade Schalles (from Hollidaysburg), Bobby Weaver (from Easton), and others.
Poker
Texas Hold 'em Poker
The case involved a $1/$2
Specifically, the decision states:
The court finds that Texas Hold 'em poker is a game where skill predominates over chance. Thus, it is not "unlawful gambling' under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
Section 5512(d), which provides definitions, states:
As used in this section the term "unlawful" means not specifically authorized by law.
Section 5513 states: (emphasis added)
§ 5513. Gambling devices, gambling, etc.
(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree if he:
(1) intentionally or knowingly makes, assembles, sets up, maintains, sells, lends, leases, gives away, or offers for sale, loan, lease or gift, any punch board, drawing card, slot machine or any device to be used for gambling purposes, except playing cards; (2) allows persons to collect and assemble for the purpose of unlawful gambling at any place under his control; (3) solicits or invites any person to visit any unlawful gambling place for the purpose of gambling; or (4) being the owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of any premises, knowingly permits or suffers the same, or any part thereof, to be used for the purpose of unlawful gambling.
Other Poker games
In the 1949 case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania V. Silverman, the
In 2004,
In 2005, York County District Attorney Stan Rebert was asked about illegal poker games in the York area by the York Daily Record. He replied that he had not heard of any and that it's not something that he would worry about. "Casual gambling ... that is not illegal", he said, "It's kind of a fine line."[20]
Previous legal challenges and legislative initiatives have taken place, but until recently, none have changed the status of poker in Pennsylvania.
- HB2121 would authorize table games, including poker, in Pennsylvania's recently authorized casinos.
- HB947 would authorize poker tournaments to be held by the holders of licenses for small games of chance.
- In Lewistown, three members of the Brooklyn Hose Fire Co. were charged with unlawful gambling for the poker tournaments held there.[21]
- In Greensburg, a defense attorney who had $10,000 and equipment confiscated from his office from poker tournaments is suing for their return. The attorney has not been charged and insists that poker tournaments are legal games of skill.[22]
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has published an FAQ page on the legalities of Texas Hold'em Poker for licensed establishments.
Other sports
Joe Sweeney holds the national Pennsylvania championship for table tennis. After each victory, he celebrates by staring directly into the eyes of his opponent and let's out a classic "surfer dude laugh."
The Delaware Valley was a center of cricket in the United States, with players such as Bart King competing for early 20th century teams such as the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Pennsylvania has been home to many accomplished boxers, including Tommy Loughran, Joe Frazier, and Bernard Hopkins.
Pennsylvania has also been home to prominent tennis players, such as Donald Johnson and Bill Tilden. The U.S. Pro Indoor was held from 1969 to 1998, and the Advanta Championships of Philadelphia from 1971 to 2005. The Philadelphia Freedoms play in World TeamTennis. Another team, the Pittsburgh Triangles, played in the league in the 1970s.
Pennsylvania has a strong track and field tradition. Events include the Penn Relays and the Pittsburgh Great Race.
Famous swimmers from Pennsylvania include Johnny Weissmuller and Brendan Hansen.
The
The Bucks County Sharks, the Philadelphia Fight and the Pittsburgh Sledgehammers are members of the USA Rugby League, the top rugby league competition in the United States.
The Pennsylvania Rebellion played in the National Pro Fastpitch league, the former professional women's softball league in the United States.
Allentown is home to The Holy Name Cadets of Drum Corps International.
The
See also
- Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
- Sports in Philadelphia
- Sports in Pittsburgh
- List of professional sports teams in Pennsylvania
References
- ^ PFRA Research. "Last Hurrah in Allegheny" (PDF). Coffin Corner. Professional Football Researchers Association: 1–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-26.
- ^ a b c This category indicates the year the franchise started playing in its current city
- ^ Moldovanyi, Rick (December 20, 2009). "Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers: The Best Rivalry in the NHL Today?". The Hockey Writers.
- ^ Kimelman, Adam (7 March 2013). "Penguins-Flyers rivalry has peaked in the past year". NHL.com. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- ^ As of 2016
- ^ Note that some schools play in multiple conferences, especially for football. The conference listed is the primary conference that the school competes in.
- ISBN 0-88011-068-6.
- NCAA into divisions. The list of champions is taken from the NCAA's website
- NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, which began in 1939.
- ^ The Warriors won the 1947 BAA Finals. The NBA traces its lineage through its predecessor, the BAA, which was founded in 1946. The BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA 1949.
- ^ "Overview: Pennsylvania Sports". Explore PA History.com. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "The Smarty Jones Story". www.horse-races.net.
- ^ Wrestling, a Pennsylvania passion. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Biony, Allan. (July 13, 2021). Which American State Has Produced the Best Wrestlers in the History of the Sport?. essentiallysports.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. papowerwrestling.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Wunderley, Ken (March 12, 2020). "Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic March 26 at Pitt". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Wunderley, Ken (February 15, 2016). "Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic March 26 at Pitt". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c "[PA] Judge Thomas A. James Jr. Opinion on Commonwealth of PA vs. Walter Watkins (Texas Hold'em)". Scribd.
- ^ "'Story' Meets a Cow!". 18 August 2015.
- ^ "How to . . . Play Texas Hold 'Em Poker".
- ^ "Judge warns fire co.: Texas Hold'em tournament not legal fundraising tool".
- ^ "Greensburg lawyer's poker games under scrutiny".