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''{{note label|MD|*}} No championchip playoff.''
''{{note label|MD|*}} No championship playoff.''


===1974 season===
===1974 season===

Revision as of 20:24, 12 April 2021

For other leagues named Midwest Football League, see Midwest Football League.
Midwest Football League
SportAmerican football
Founded1962
Ceased1978
Claim to fameThe last league to feature NFL farm teams
No. of teamsvaried (from 3 to 8)
Most titlesMacomb County / Pontiac / Michigan Arrows (7)

The Midwest Football League (MFL) was a low-level professional American football league that played games from 1962 to 1978. The league was based mainly in Michigan, until the collapse of the Continental Football League in 1969, when it became more of a regional league.[1] After the 1976 season all but one team folded and were replaced by new teams, resulting in a virtually new league.

During its lifetime, the MFL had a working relationships with the National Football League (NFL), as the NFL had the right to sign any player at any time from the league for $1000, while the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit Lions had an agreements with Columbus Bucks, Youngstown Hardhats and Lansing All Stars (respectively) to act as farm teams.

History

Formation

By April 1961, six cities had been approved for franchises in the Midwest Football League: Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, Ohio; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Indianapolis; and Louisville, Kentucky.[2] Players were to be paid $50 salaries per game played, with 30 players on each team's roster.[2] The league played its games on Saturday nights.[2] George Gareff from Columbus was initially league commissioner,[2] with Homer VanHablenbeck from Detroit gaining the title by 1962.[3]

A group of Des Moines, Iowa, investors applied for a franchise in the league in April 1961.[2] New teams were to pay a $2,000 fee to join the league and send a $5,000 security deposit to ensure the full season would be played.[2] The Lakeview Athletic Club Bears joined the league on January 28, 1962.[3]

The six initial teams in the league were announced on January 31, 1962, as the Battle Creek Bears, Dearborn Vikings, Detroit Rockets, Lansing All Stars, Macomb County Arrows (also called the Mt. Clemens Arrows), and Toledo Thunderbirds.[4] The Lansing All Stars were an independent team in the 1961 season.[5] An application for a franchise from Dayton, Ohio, was approved on March 11, 1962.[6] The Battle Creek, Dayton, and Toledo franchises did not play in the 1962 season.

1962 season

The 1962 season began on September 8, 1962,[6] with four teams participating. The Mt. Clemens/Macomb County Arrows were declared league champions for the 1962 season,[7] after beating the Dearborn Vikings 34–20 in the title game.[1]

1962 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Team W L T PCT
Mt. Clemens/Macomb County Arrows† 5 1 0 .833
Dearborn Vikings 4 2 0 .666
Detroit Rockets 2 4 0 .333
Lansing All Stars 1 5 0 .167

 †  Midwest Football League champions.

1963 season

The Spartan Athletic Club received approval to join the league in April 1963,[8] and they initially chose a team name of Dayton Spartans.[9] They were later called the Cedarville Spartans.[10] The Dayton franchise had previously played in the American Football Conference as the Dayton Triangles from 1959 to 1961.[11] The Battle Creek Bears (also known as the Cereal City Bears) joined for the 1963 season,[12] after initially being accepted into the league in 1962. Six teams participated in the 1963 season.[13]

The Arrows won the league championship for a second year in a row after posting a record of 13–1,[14] including a 9–1 record in league play.[1] The Spartans, who finished second in the league in 1963 after going 6–3–1, played against the Hudson Bar in a game called the Semi-Pro Bowl on December 14, 1963.[15] The All Stars placed third for the season with a record of 5–4–1.[16]

1963 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Team W L T PCT
Macomb County Arrows† 9 1 0 .900
Cedarville Spartans[a 1] 6 3 1 .650
Lansing All Stars[a 2] 5 4 1 .550
Detroit Rockets 4 5 1 .450
Petersburg/Dearborn Vikings 2 8 0 .200
Cereal City Bears 1 9 0 .100

 †  Midwest Football League champions.

1964 season

Ed McCracken from Dayton was elected league commissioner in March 1964.[17] The league also added teams in Toronto, Ohio, and Van Wert, Ohio.[17] The Van Wert team was named the Van Wert Tigers,[18] but they did not participate in the 1964 season.[a 3] The Toronto team was the Toronto Tigers.[20] The Cedarville Spartans became the Dayton Colts in 1964,[21] and the Cereal City Bears did not return after the 1963 season.[a 3]

The Association of Minor Football Leagues was formed in April 1964, with the Midwest Football League joining together with five of the other seven minor league football teams in the country.[22] The other leagues to join were the Atlantic Coast Football League, Central States Football League, New England Football Conference, Southern Football League, and United Football League.[22] McCracken was named secretary of the association.[22]

1964 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Team W L T PCT
Lansing All Stars† 8 2 0 .800
Dearborn Vikings 7 3 0 .700
Dayton Colts 6 4 0 .600
Macomb County Arrows 6 4 0 .600
Detroit Rockets 2 8 0 .200
Toronto Tigers 1 9 0 .100

 †  Midwest Football League champions.[23]

The Lansing All-Stars played against the Central States Football League champion Racine Raiders in an exhibition game after the season on November 28, 1964.[24]

The Toronto team did not show up to a game against Lansing, and were subsequently removed from the league in the middle of the season.[25] The Detroit Rockets were removed from the league after the season after they did not adhere to financial protocols.[26]

1965 season

In searching for two new teams to join the league for the 1965 season, following the expulsion of the Detroit and Toronto franchises, commissioner Ed McCracken asked for a $300 new team fee with a security deposit of $200.[27] The Macomb County Arrows became the Pontiac Arrows and the Dearborn Vikings became the Milan Vikings for the 1965 season.[28][29][30] A Flint, Michigan, team called the Flint Blue Devils joined the league.[28][29] A team from Sturgis, Michigan, played some games against league members in the hopes of joining the league for the 1966 season.[28]

Dayton was purchased by a new ownership group in 1965.[31]

1965 Midwest Football League standings
Team W L T PCT
Pontiac Arrows† 6 2 0 .750
Dayton Colts 5 2 1 .688
Lansing All Stars 3 4 1 .438
Flint Blue Devils 2 4 2 .375
Milan Vikings 2 6 0 .250

 †  Midwest Football League champions.[32]

The Dayton Colts had to cancel and forfeit a game against Milan due to bad weather.[33] Dayton scheduled the game to be played at a local high school football field, but the school would not allow the game to be played, citing a long-standing policy about wet fields.[33] Dayton was placed a one-year probation by the league as punishment.[34]

The Pontiac Arrows were named league champions, and they went against players from the other four teams in an all-star game on November 13, 1965.[32]

1966 season

John Abel from Pontiac was named commissioner of the league in January 1966, replacing McCracken, who resigned to be the head coach for the Dayton Colts.[35][36]

The Milan franchise was moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan,[37] to become the Ypsilanti Vikings.[38] The Detroit Rockets franchise rejoined the league in River Rouge, Michigan, as the River Rouge Steelers.[39][40] The Dayton Colts played an exhibition game of basketball with the National Football League's Cleveland Browns in March 1966 as a fundraiser.[41]

1966 Midwest Football League standings
Team W L T PCT
Pontiac Arrows† 9 0 1 .950
Ypsilanti Vikings 7 3 0 .700
Dayton Colts[a 4] 6 4 0 .600
Flint Blue Devils 5 4 1 .550
Lansing All Stars 2 8 0 .200
River Rouge Steelers 0 10 0 .000

 †  Midwest Football League champions.[42]

The Pontiac Arrows were named league champions for the second straight season, and they went against players from the other five teams in an all-star game on November 12, 1966.[42]

1967 season

The River Rouge Steelers became the Detroit Steelers,[43] the Flint Blue Devils became the Flint Wildcats,[44] and the Pontiac Arrows moved back to Mt. Clemens to become the Michigan Arrows for the 1967 season.[45] The Pontiac Firebirds joined the league as a new franchise.[45]

The Lansing All Stars signed their players to $1 per year contracts in 1967 due to financial constraints.[46] In October 1967, the NFL agreed to pay MFL teams $1,000 to sign a player off of their rosters.[47]

1967 Midwest Football League standings
Team W L T PCT
Michigan Arrows† 11 1 0 .917
Pontiac Firebirds 10 2 0 .818
Ypsilanti Vikings 8 4 0 .727
Dayton Colts 7 5 0 .583
Flint Wildcats 2 9 1 .208
Lansing All Stars* 2 9 0 .182
Detroit Steelers* 0 10 1 .045

 †  Midwest Football League champions.[48][49]
* Record before final game of season.[50]

1968 season

A franchise from Lackawanna, New York, joined the league in April 1968,[51] as the Lackawanna Lancers.[52] The Detroit Steelers moved to Hamtramck, Michigan, to become the Hamtramck Chargers for the 1968 season.[53] The Lansing All Stars team folded before the 1968 due to financial reasons.[54][55][56] The Dayton Colts were sold to Recreation Projects, Inc. in April 1968.[57] The Michigan Arrows were purchased by a group from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and subsequently relocated to the city to become the Fort Wayne Tigers.[54] The Flint franchise was part owned by Minnesota Vikings player Paul Krause.[58]

1968 Midwest Football League standings
Team W L T PCT
Dayton Colts†[59] 12 0 0 1.000
Lackawanna Lancers* 6 2 0 .750
Flint Wildcats[60] 7 5 0 .583
Pontiac Firebirds* 5 4 0 .556
Hamtramck Chargers* 3 6 0 .333
Ypsilanti Vikings* 2 7 0 .222
Fort Wayne Tigers* 0 8 0 .000

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
* Record after eighth or ninth game of season.[61]

In the all-star game on November 16, 1968, the Dayton Colts beat the team of league all-stars, 43–0.[62] They were the first team in league history to go undefeated in a season after posting a 12–0 record.[59]

1969 season

The Lansing All Stars rejoined the league for the 1969 season.[56] The Southwestern Michigan Hawks were accepted into the league in April 1969.[63] The Fort Wayne Tigers became the Grand Rapids Chiefs,[64][65] and Grand Rapids paid $1,000 as an entry fee.[66] The Hamtramck Chargers became the Detroit Cowboys for the 1969 season.[67][68] The Ypsilanti Vikings left the league before the season.[69]

A two-division structure of the league began in the 1969 season, with Dayton, Lackawanna, Grand Rapids, and Southwestern Michigan making up the Lakes division,[63] and Detroit, Flint, Lansing, and Pontiac being in the Central division.[66] Detroit was removed from the league in the middle of the season.[70]

1969 Midwest Football League standings
Central Division
Team W L T PCT
Lansing All Stars† 12 1 1 .893
Pontiac Firebirds 10 3 1 .750
Flint Wildcats 2 12 0 .143
Detroit Cowboys 0 14 0 .000
Lakes Division
Team W L T PCT
Lackawanna Lancers‡ 11 3 0 .786
Dayton Colts 10 4 0 .714
Southwestern Michigan Hawks 5 9 0 .357
Grand Rapids Chiefs 5 9 0 .357

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
 ‡  Won division.[69]

The Lansing All Stars won the Central Division with a record of 12–1–1 and the Lackawanna Lancers won the Lakes Division after going 11–3.[69] Lansing defeated Lackawanna, 20–8, in the first MFL Championship Game on November 8, 1969.[71] The All Stars received a championship bonus of $500 after the game.[72]

1970 season

John Abel, the commissioner for the league, died in March 1970.[73] Keith Bacon became the new commissioner by July 1970.[74] The Dayton Colts were suspended for the season due to financial conditions,[75] but fielded an independent team and played games against members of the league.[76] The Flint Wildcats did not return for the 1970 season.[77] The Grand Rapids Chiefs became the Wyoming Chiefs,[78] and the Southwest Michigan Hawks were renamed the Michiana Hawks.[79] The Hawks played their home games in Buchanan, Michigan.[80]

A four-team playoff system was enacted for the season, with the regular season first-place team playing the third-place team and second place playing fourth place in the first round, and the winners of those games playing in a championship game.[81][82]

1970 Midwest Football League standings[83]
Team W L T PCT
Lansing All Stars† 10 0 0 1.000
Pontiac Firebirds‡ 8 2 0 .800
Michiana Hawks‡* 5 5 0 .500
Lackawanna Lancers‡* 5 5 0 .500
Wyoming Chiefs 1 9 0 .100
Detroit Cowboys 1 9 0 .100

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
 ‡  Playoff team.
* Tie in standings between Michiana and Lackawanna broken by a coin toss to determine playoff opponents. Michiana won and chose to face Pontiac in the first round of the playoffs.[84]

1970 playoffs

The Lansing All Stars defeated the Lackawanna Lancers, 60–0, and the Pontiac Firebirds beat the Michiana Hawks, 35–14, in the first round of the playoffs on October 24, 1970.[85][86] Lansing won over Pontiac in the championship game, 28–6, on October 31, 1970, for their second straight championship win.[87]

Semi-finals Championship game
      
1 All Stars 60
3 Lancers 0
1 All Stars 28
2 Firebirds 6
2 Firebirds 35
4 Hawks 14

Lansing later scheduled two games against the champions of the Midwest Professional Football League, the Joliet Chargers, one on each team's field, following their MWL championship win.[88] The first game was called the "Champions Bowl".[89] Lansing won the first matchup on November 14, 1970, with a score of 33–7.[90] Joliet won the second game on November 21, 1970, going up 21–3.[91]

1971 season

The Lackawanna Lancers moved to Niagara Falls, New York,[92] as the Niagara Falls Lancers,[93] and the Detroit Cowboys moved back to Hamtramck to become the Hamtramck Chargers again.[40] The Flint Wildcats returned for the 1971 season.[92] The Wyoming Chiefs became the Wyoming Cowboys in 1971.[94] In April, a Columbus, Ohio, franchise was added to the league,[95] as the Columbus Bucks.[96] The teams were divided into two divisions again for the season.[95] The Central Division comprised Flint, Hamtramck, Lansing, and Wyoming, while the Lakes Division was made from Columbus, Michiana, Niagara Falls, and Pontiac.[95] A divisional round of the playoffs was reinstated for the 1971 season.[95] The league prevented players being paid salaries for 1971 after financial struggles the previous season.[97] Bill Byrne, president of the Bucks, was elected vice president of the league in September 1971.[98]

1971 Midwest Football League standings[99]
Central Division
Team W L T PCT
Lansing All Stars‡ 12 1 1 .893
Flint Wildcats‡ 8 6 0 .571
Hamtramck Chargers[a 5] 3 11 0 .214
Wyoming Cowboys 1 12 1 .107
Lakes Division
Team W L T PCT
Columbus Bucks† 13 0 1 .964
Niagara Falls Lancers‡ 9 5 0 .643
Pontiac Firebirds 7 7 0 .500
Michiana Hawks 1 12 1 .107

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
 ‡  Playoff team.

1971 playoffs

The Lansing All Stars won the Central Division and the Columbus Bucks won the Lakes Division.[99] The Bucks were scheduled to play the second-place team in the Central Division, the Flint Wildcats, in the first round of the playoffs, but the opponent was replaced by the Michigan Barons due to eligibility concerns with Flint's roster.[100] The Barons were made up of players from the Flint and Pontiac rosters.[101] In the divisional round of the playoffs, Lansing defeated the Niagara Falls Lancers, 17–0, while Columbus beat the Barons, 34–0, on November 6, 1971.[102] On November 13, 1971, Columbus won the league championship with a win over Lansing, by a score of 20–17.[103]

Semi-finals Championship game
      
C1 All Stars 17
L2 Lancers 0
C1 All Stars 17
L1 Bucks 20
L1 Bucks 34
C2 Barons 0

After the championship game, Lansing and Columbus played against the Pennsylvania Bruins of the Interstate League.[104] The Columbus–Pennsylvania game was called the "Ohio Mini Super Bowl",[105] with Columbus winning 44–13 in the November 20 game.[106] Lansing won the November 26 game, 32–14.[107]

1972 season

In September 1971, the league announced franchises in Indianapolis; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Dayton, Ohio; and Massillon, Ohio.[108] The Indianapolis franchise was called the Indiana Caps, which competed in the Atlantic Coast Football Conference from 1970 to 1971 as the Indianapolis Capitols.[109] A team from Joliet, Illinois, was expected to join the league in 1972.[110] Franchises in Youngstown, Ohio; Indianapolis; and Warren, Michigan, were accepted into the league in December 1971.[111] The Youngstown franchise was called the Youngstown Hardhats.[112] Dayton and Louisville were prospective cities for new franchises in January 1972.[112] The Michiana Hawks took a leave of absence from the league for the 1972 season due to financial problems.[113] The Wyoming Cowboys and Pontiac Firebirds left the league, and the Hamtrmack Chargers moved back to Detroit before the season[113] to become the Detroit Warriors.[114] The Niagara Falls Lancers also left the league before the season.[115] The Flint Wildcats became the Flint Sabres.[116]

Youngstown had an agreement with the Cleveland Browns to act as their farm team for the 1972 season.[117] In March 1972, the MWL joined the Independent Professional Football Leagues of America, which included the Midwest Professional Football League, Central States Football League, Southwestern Football League, Seaboard Football League, and Texas League.[118]

The 1972 season began on July 8, 1972.[119] Players earned between $50 and $200 per game in 1972.[120][121] On September 1, 1972, the Lansing All Stars were purchased by Ed Dubaj, Joe Cox, and three other buyers, from Gene Howard for a sale price of $18,500.[121]

1972 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Team W L T PCT
Indiana Caps† 8 2 0 .800
Youngstown Hardhats‡ 8 2 0 .800
Columbus Bucks 7 3 0 .700
Lansing All Stars 5 5 0 .500
Flint Sabres 2 8 0 .200
Detroit Warriors 0 10 0 .000

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
 ‡  Playoff team.

Championship Game: Indianapolis 26, Youngstown 14

1973 season

The West Virginia Hillbillies were granted a franchise in the league for the 1973 season in May 1972.[122] The six teams in 1973 were the Columbus Bucks, Detroit Warriors, Flint Sabres, Indianapolis Caps, Lansing All Stars, and Youngstown Hardhats.[121]

Two teams had agreements with National Football League (NFL) teams to act as farm teams: Youngstown with the Cleveland Browns and Columbus with the Cincinnati Bengals.[121] Lansing negotiated with the Detroit Lions to have a similar deal in February 1973.[121]

1973 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Team W L T PCT
Indianapolis Capitols 8 2 0 .800
Youngstown Hardhats 8 2 0 .800
Flint Sabres 7 2 1 .750
Columbus Barons 3 7 0 .300
Lansing All Stars 2 7 1 .250
Niles/Buchanan Hawks 1 9 0 .100

* No championship playoff.

1974 season

1974 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Team W L T PCT
Flint Sabres† 9 1 0 .900
Indianapolis Capitols‡ 9 1 0 .900
Youngstown Hardhats 6 4 0 .600
Pontiac Arrows 4 6 0 .400
Lansing All Stars 2 8 0 .200
Detroit Warriors 0 10 0 .000

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
 ‡  Playoff team.

Championship Game: Flint 15, Indianapolis 2

1975 season

1975 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Central Division
Team W L T PCT
Flint Sabres‡ 9 1 0 .900
Dayton Colts 5 5 0 .500
Lansing Capitols 4 6 0 .400
Lakes Division
Team W L T PCT
Pontiac Arrows† 8 2 0 .800
Clevland Academe 4 6 0 .400
Detroit Indians 0 10 0 .000

 †  Midwest Football League champions.
 ‡  Playoff team.

Championship Game: Pontiac 35, Flint 12

1976 season

1976 Midwest Football League standings[1]
Central Division
Team W L T PCT
Lansing Capitols‡ 6 4 0 .600
Detroit Indians 2 8 0 .200
Flint Sabres* 1 9 0 .100
Lakes Division
Team W L T PCT
Pontiac Arrows‡ 10 0 0 1.000
Youngstown Hardhats 8 2 0 .800
Clevland Academe 3 7 0 .300

 ‡  Playoff team.
* Dropped out after winning the opener and forfeited the remaining schedule.

Championship Game: was scheduled between Pontiac and Lansing but no result found.

Notable players

Notes

  1. ^ The Dayton Daily News reported the Cedarville Spartans' record for 1963 as 6–3–1,[15] while Outsiders II stated they had a 5–2–2 record with a note about missing information.[1]
  2. ^ The Lansing State Journal reported the Lansing All Stars' record for 1963 as 5–4–1,[16] while Outsiders II stated they had a 6–3–1 record.[1]
  3. ^ a b According to 1964 league standings.[19]
  4. ^ The Lansing State Journal reported the Dayton Colts' final record as 5–4–1, which would be the third tie in the standings.[42] It is impossible for an odd-number of total ties to have occurred, and Outsiders II shows the Colts' record for 1966 as 6–4–0.[1]
  5. ^ Outsiders II shows the Chargers' record for 1971 as 2–12–0.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Gill, Maher & Brainerd 2010, pp. 113–116.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Cordaro, Tony (April 13, 1961). "Des Moines Seeks Pro Grid Berth". Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Lakeview Bears Join Midwest Pro Grid League". Battle Creek Enquirer. January 28, 1962. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "All-Stars Join New Grid Loop". Lansing State Journal. January 31, 1962. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Lansing All Star '11' Looks for Good Year". Lansing State Journal. September 2, 1962. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Lansing All-Stars Plan 'Home' Football Sked". Lansing Star Journal. March 12, 1962. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Lansing All-Stars Open Home Season Saturday". Lansing State Journal. September 12, 1963. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Spartans the Name". Dayton Daily News. April 3, 1963. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Olesky, John (April 28, 1963). "Dolphins Double In Coaching Brass". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  10. ^ "Cedarville Home Tonight". Dayton Daily News. October 5, 1963. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Clark, Jan (November 15, 1967). "Minor League Pro Grid Game To Be Played Here Nov. 25". Palladium-Item. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Cereal City Bears Pick 1963 Officers". Battle Creek Enquirer. April 23, 1963. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  15. ^ a b "Hudson, Spartans In Semi-Pro Bowl". Dayton Daily News. December 5, 1963. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b Wallington, Jim (September 6, 1964). "Lansing All Stars Face Quarterback Problem". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  25. ^ "All-Stars Hoping To 'Scare' Detroit Rockets Saturday". Lansing State Journal. October 30, 1964. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Colts' Grid Loop Drops 2 Teams". The Journal Herald. December 9, 1964. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "MFL Seeks New Franchises". The Lima News. February 17, 1965. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b c Wallington, Jim (August 22, 1965). "Lansing All-Stars Eye League Opener Sept. 4". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ a b "Slate Exhibition". The Holland Evening Sentinel. August 11, 1965. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "All-Stars Top Milan, 13–10". Lansing State Journal. September 19, 1965. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  33. ^ a b Carroll, Tom (September 12, 1965). "No Playing Field Available; Colts May Lose Franchise". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Midwest League Places Colts On Probation". The Journal Herald. September 13, 1965. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Abel Named MFL Commissioner". Petosky News-Review. January 6, 1966. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Carroll, Tom (January 9, 1966). "McCracken Quits As Commissioner". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Dayton Colts Final Cut Set Today". Dayton Daily News. August 14, 1966. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Ypsi Gridders Hoist Lid Under Ex-Lion". Detroit Free Press. August 31, 1966. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Stars Kick Off 1966 Grid Year". Lansing State Journal. September 2, 1966. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ a b Vincent, Charlie (May 20, 1971). "Help for Hamtramck ... Chargers to the Rescue!". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Colts To Play Browns "5"". The Journal Herald. March 7, 1966. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ a b c "4 All-Stars Place High In Stats". Lansing State Journal. November 12, 1966. Retrieved April 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Carroll, Tom (August 24, 1967). "Colts Steeling For 1st Game". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Arrows Risk Lead". Detroit Free Press. October 21, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ a b "'Stars' Await League Debut". Lansing State Journal. August 29, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Kletke Keeps All Stars Solid". Lansing State Journal. August 25, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  48. ^ "Colts Finish 7–5". The Journal Herald. November 27, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Colts Facing Better Test In Ypsilanti on Saturday". Dayton Daily News. August 8, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Colts Eye Spoiler Role Vs. Michigan Tonight". The Journal Herald. November 25, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Lackawanna Joins MPFL". Dayton Daily News. April 2, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "Chargers Play". Detroit Free Press. August 31, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "Pro Gridder New Home: Hamtramck". Detroit American. May 5, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ a b "2 New Cities In Grid Loop". The Journal Herald. May 6, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ "All Stars Plan Sunday Drills". Lansing State Journal. July 26, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ a b Hill, John (July 18, 1969). "All Stars' Offense Sharp". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^ "Dayton Football Franchise Is Sold". The Cincinnati Enquirer. April 10, 1968. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  98. ^ "Byrne Elected Midwest Football Vice President". The Circleville Herald. September 10, 1971. Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  102. ^ "It's Stars, Columbus In Finals". Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1971. Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  111. ^ "Youngstown to Join Midwest League". News Journal. December 16, 1971. Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  117. ^ Lindstrom, Don (July 22, 1972). "Mustangs Have Tough Assignment". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  118. ^ "New Grid Group; D.M. A Member". Des Moines Tribune. May 12, 1972. Retrieved April 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  120. ^ Phillips, John (March 22, 1972). "Team Handball An Exciting, Unique Sport". The Indiana Gazette. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  125. ^ "Exhibition Game Has Added Import". Dayton Daily News. August 19, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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  129. ^ "Third Win Is Sought By Hardhats". The Weirton Daily Times. July 15, 1972. Retrieved April 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  130. ^ "All Stars Need To Stop Juday". Lansing State Journal. October 6, 1967. Retrieved April 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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Bibliography

  • Gill, Bob; Maher, Tod; Brainerd, Steve (2010). Outsiders II: Minor League and Independent Football 1951–1985. St. Johann Press. ISBN 9781878282651.
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