Youngstown Patricians - Professional Championship

Professional Championship

Led by manager Joe Ormier and coach Thomas (fresh from the West Virginia University football team), 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." The article added:"The maroon and gray need fear no professional football team."

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 Washington, D.C., Vigilants. As Frolund writes: "Over a span of nine years, the Vigilants had won 90 games, lost but three, and had one tie. The Vigilants had claimed the World's Championship of professional football since 1907, defeating such teams as the famous Philadelphia Blues, Jersey City Pros, Harrisburg Giants, Altoona All-Stars, Maryland and New York Pros, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Reading, Pennsylvania, and Georgia." As Frolund observes, the victory enabled the Patricians to lay claim to the World's Championship.

The following season, however, the Patricians faced predictably tough competition as other semi-professional teams sought to challenge their unofficial but widely acknowledged championship. 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.