Youngstown Patricians
Founded | 1911 |
---|---|
Folded | 1919 |
Based in | Idora Park |
The Youngstown Patricians were a semi-professional football team based in Youngstown, Ohio.[1] In the 1910s, the team briefly held the professional football championship and established itself as a fierce rival of more experienced clubs around the country, some of which later formed the core of the National Football League.[2] The Patricians football team motto was "With Malice to None and a Square Deal to all."
Origins
The football team was organized in 1911 by the Patrician Club, a men's organization connected to
Faced with more experienced teams like the
Professional championship
Led by manager Joseph Omlor and coach Thomas (fresh from the West Virginia University football team),[3] the Patricians entered the 1915 season with a confidence that was soon reflected in the local media. In October, when the "Pats" faced off with a rival club from Barberton, Ohio, one newspaper account stated: "It is no wonder the Patricians have aimed at the state titular emblem this season. With such a grand organization; one that so admirably combines weight speed, courage, and sheer ability, it is even to their discredit that do not go in quest of the titular honors of several states or the country at large."[4] The article added:"The maroon and gray [the Patricians' colors] need fear no professional football team."[4]
The news report proved prophetic. That season, the Patricians won eight games and tied one. The most unexpected victory was a 13–7 win over the
In a Youngstown Vindicator article from November 29, 1915, the Manager of the Vigilants, Joe Oliveri said "The Patricians defeated us fairly and squarely and we held the eastern title clearly beyond dispute. Youngstown has a remarkable gridiron machine and one that could go down through the east and make trouble for any eleven they met." Also from the article: "He declared football is no better supported in any city in the United States while in very few places are the fans as manifestly fair as they are right here in our own burg."
The following season, however, the Patricians faced predictably tough competition as other semi-professional teams sought to challenge their unofficial but widely acknowledged championship.[2] While the Patricians won a slim victory over the Washington Vigilants, they closed the season with a crippling 0–13 loss to the Columbus Panhandles. Their season record was a less-than-stellar 7–4.[2]
Peak and decline
The Patricians entered the 1917 season determined to win back the championship title and assembled a powerhouse team that appeared equal to the task. The team featured five All-Americans. Standouts included
The opening contest of the 1917 season was against
In the wake of this narrow defeat, the Patricians secured a victory over the
Legacy
The Patricians' effort to regroup under coach-manager Thomas unraveled in the wake of a 27–0 defeat at the hands of the Massillon Tigers on October 5, 1919.
Over the years, the nearby Pro Football Hall of Fame has had several displays honoring the Youngstown Patricians including highlighting their championship 1915 team as well as one titled "A Parish Turns Pro."
Hughitt went on to the
The Youngstown area retains a strong NFL presence today. The NFL considers Youngstown–located halfway between
The owners of the San Francisco 49ers, John York and Denise DeBartolo York reside in the Youngstown suburb of Canfield, Ohio, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in nearby Canton, Ohio, about an hour southwest of Youngstown. In 2011, the 49ers practiced on the campus of Youngstown State University in between road games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles instead of making two East Coast trips in back-to-back weeks; both games resulted in victories for the 49ers.[9]
Saint Patrick Church is still an important part of the Youngstown community and according to an article in the Youngstown Vindicator, "remains an anchor in a neighborhood of change."
Youngstown Patricians Relaunched 2015
On November 5, 2015, at M Gallery, Erie Terminal Place in Downtown Youngstown, a group of enthusiasts, local leaders, media, and the curious, gathered for a celebration to honor the 1915 Youngstown Patricians and an unveiling of a painting by noted local artist Ray Simon. Accompanied by current Pastor of Saint Patrick, Father Ed Noga, together, Simon and Father Noga revealed a painting honoring the team titled "Gridiron Greatness", the painting features the Youngstown area, Saint Patrick Church, and Father Charles A. Martin, original Pastor and founder of the football team. The event received extensive press coverage including the Youngstown Vindicator, Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Catholic Exponent and local TV stations. Many family members of both the 1914 and 1915 teams were in attendance. Mayor John A. McNally, Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti, and Mahoning County Historical Society Executive William Lawson were also present.. Items celebrating the team were available for sale including posters of the painting and t-shirts. A Youngstown Patricians Facebook account and YTown Pats Twitter account have been created allowing for family members and the general public to share and learn more about this important historical pro football team. An article in the Youngstown Vindicator titled "Patricians 100th Anniversary Celebrated" by Greg Gulas and the Cleveland Plain Dealer titled "100 years ago, were Youngstown Patricians pro football's world champs?" by Tim Warsinskey provide additional information.
A Facebook page dedicated to the history and remembering the Patricians has been created here. There are additional photos and stories of the team there.
Notes
- ^ a b c d McClellan (1998), p. 98.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "The Story of the Patricians" (PDF). Professional Football Researchers Association. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
- ^ McClellan (1998), p. 98
- ^ a b "Patrician Grids Wallop Barberton Champs 52 To 0". The Youngstown Vindicator. October 18, 1915.
- ^ McClellan (1998), p. 113
- ^ McClellan (1998), p. 111.
- ^ McClellan (1998), p. 115.
- ^ a b McClellan (1998), p. 116.
- ^ "Youngstown News, On road, 49ers to practice at YSU". www.vindy.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-03.
References
- McClellan, Keith (1998). The Sunday Game: At the Dawn of Professional Football. Akron, OH: Akron University Press. ISBN 1-884836-35-6.
- Frolund, Vic (1979). The Story of the Patricians. The Coffin Corner: Vol. 1, No. 4 (1979)