Youngstown Hardhats

In January 1972, owner Ralph Erskine announced George Rodak as the head coach for the Hardhats.[1] They played their home games at Struthers High School in 1972.[2] The team held open tryouts in June 1972, with former Duke linebacker Dick Biddle in attendance.[3] They played against the Washington Bears in an exhibition game on July 1, 1972,[4] and against the Madison Mustangs of the Central States Football League on July 22.[5] The Cleveland Browns of the National Football League sent six contracted players to the Hardhats for their August 5 game against the Lansing All Stars.[6] After posting an 8–2 regular season record in 1972, the Hardhats were defeated in the league championship game by the Indiana Caps.[7] They went 8–2 again in 1973[8] under head coach Bill Shunkwiler.[9] Al Boggia was named head coach of the Hardhats in May 1974.[10] The team went 5–4 in 1974, finishing second in the Lakes Division.[11]

The Hardhats posted a 38–6 record over three seasons. Despite this record, the Hardhats' owners announced in March 1975 that they would not field a team for the upcoming season, because of declining attendance and reports that a team from the World Football League would locate in Akron, Ohio.[12] The Hardhats returned for the 1976 season,[13] and posted another 8–2 record.[8]

Youngstown joined the Mid-Atlantic Football League in 1977, and, after, posting a 9–2 record in the regular season, lost in the championship game.[14] They were considered the ninth-best semi-pro team in the country in 1977.[15] They remained in the league for the 1978 season,[16] competing in the South High School stadium in Youngstown and coached again by Boggia.[15] During the 1979 season, the Hardhats were considered ninth in the country for minor league football teams.[17] They played in the Mid-Atlantic Football League again in 1980[18] and 1981.[19] The team folded during the 1981 season.[20]