ORIGIN  OF  THE  MAROONS 

    Strictly speaking, the Maroons were the National League football team which played
here throughout the seasons of 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928.  There had been regular
community teams prior to the war but the all-absorbing conflict in Europe interrupted
the normal flow of athletic activity here, so that a new beginning had to be made.
     Most patrons trace the beginning to the All-Service team of 1919, which was
made up entirely of home talent and from soldiers who had been brothers-in-arms
during the trying days of 1916, 1917 and 1918, mainly from the 103rd Engineers,
All Service was a strong team which played hard games with opponents in this
area; Shenandoah, Coaldale, Gilberton, Mount Carmel, and other rugged outfits.
Local competition was so strong, all teams started to import strong material from
outside, so that all became professional in class.  By 1922, Pottsville had brought in
players such as Clarence Beck and Jerry Boland.  At the time Frank Schoeneman,
Harold Kingsburg and Irvin Heinz were active in promoting the team.  Later, Dr.
John G. Striegal became interested.
     By 1923, Pottsville had Benny Boynton, who was regarded as the best quarter-
back in college football of his period, and Carl Beck, a nationally-rated halfback.
Alvin "Doggie" Julian and Vic Emmanuel were members of that outfit.  It was in
1924 that Dr. Striegal acquired full control of the club and he brough such standouts
as Pete Henry, Gus Sonnenberg, Larry Conover, Johny Scott, Clarence Beck and others.
     So outstanding was this team that it attracted national attention.  After playing the
National League Frankford Yellowjackets to a standstill and having staged an exhibition
at Atlantic City, it became apparent the team was of National League class and there was
talk of its joining that circuit which then had some 20 clubs without the East-West
Divisions in effect today.
     The name "Maroons" came about as result of an unusual circumstance.  Many
believe it may have been because of the enthusiasm of Charlie Berry and Jack Ernst,
Lafayette stars, who were signed for the 1925 season in 1924.  The fact is, the team
was nicknamed "Maroons" before Berry and Ernst joined the team.  Just how did the
name come about?  The team in 1924, was all set to play its first game of the season
at the Minersville Ball Park, and Dr. Striegal, the team owner, decided that the club
needed new jerseys.  He quickly placed a call to Joseph C. Zacko, a local sporting
goods dealer, asking for 25 jerseys in a hurry.  He stated, "The color isn't important."
Zacko immediately rushed 25 maroon colored jerseys to the team, as a result, the team
was baptized "Maroons".
     At any rate, the 1924 season was a most enthusiastic one.  It was then, Dr. Striegal
declared he could get the team into the National League, in 1925, if patrons so desired.
Joseph Carr, the league president, encouraged the move.
     In the summer of 1925, the Pottsville entry was not yet official and Dr. Striegal
was in camp, somewhere in the mountains.  It was then a delegation of which Fred
Portz and Hap Golden were members, traveled to the camp to remind the doctor of his
promise.  Dr. Striegal agreed to make the effort and was told the community would
raise founds for the franchise purchase.  Accordingly enough money was collected
by public subscription and Dr. Striegal came home with the franchise.  Upon our
entering the National League regional interest reached a phenomenal high.  Public
subscription, donations and full-fledged cooperation by businessmen, professional men
and individuals from all walks of life led to putting Pottsville and the coal region in
the national limelight.
     In 1925, the Pottsville Maroons were consdiered the BIGGEST ATTRACTION in
the National League, and on many occasions when playing away from home the
Pottsville followers outnumbered the hometown fans.  A striking example of coal-
region followers is that on October 9, 1924, Mitchell Day, the team was to play the
New York Giants at New York.  The Giants however, requested the game be played
at Wilkes-Barre, PA where Pottsville partisans gave an excellent attendance.  It is
worthy to note that upon Pottsville's entrance to the National League all former
regional opponents and their admirers flocked the Maroons banner.
     For the next four seasons, after 1924, all the greatest stars in America came
here to play against the Maroons at Minersville Park.
     In 1925, the Maroons finished first, (they were third in 1926), after defeating
the Cardinals, 21-7, at Chicago.  The next Saturday the team met and won from the
Four Horsemen of Notre Dame ,9-7, in what should have been honored as the first
Professional College All-Star game, but which was alleged to be invasion of the
territory of the Frankford Yellowjackets, at Connie Mack Stadium, so that what should
have rebounded to the team's everlasting credit became a drawback which rankles to
this day.
     In 1929 the team and franchise moved to Boston, George Kenneally holding the
franchise, and at the fag end of the 1929 season the maroons then representing Boston
came home for an exhibition game, and that was their farewell appearence here.
Business men, professional men and just plain individuals throughout this region
backed the team loyally so that the fame of the Maroons is still remembered
throughout the nation.
     As late as 1963 the Maroons and their outstanding achievements together with the
very hospitable and sociable folks of our region have been the subject of very prominent
speakers.  The franchise was ultimately sold to George Preston Marshall or the
Washington Redskins.  The Maroons regime is a tradition which Pottsville and regional
folks will always cherish.
     We could have been the Green Bay of the EAST.