The 1930 Western Pennsylvania Independent Sandlot Football Conference
Mose Kelsch with Bridgeville Speedway where the Majestic Radios played their home games as the background
(Bridgeville Speedway image courtesy Bridgeville Area Historical Society)In August 1930, the top semi-pro teams of Western Pennsylvania decided to play their games on a more official basis, so they established a new league. The Western Pennsylvania Independent Sandlot Football Conference introduced an official structure to their semi-pro schedule.
The new organization decided to abandon the old concept that a team once beaten cannot play an unbeaten team. That meant the schedule would play out with the teams playing each other on an informal home and away basis.
As was not uncommon in the early days of semi-pro football, before a pass was thrown, one of the original teams dropped out. Following two defeats and unable to secure a field, Mcchesneytown decided at the end of September they could not commit to a schedule. They were replaced by the Ambridge Mystics.
The new Conference began their season with six teams. Art Rooney’s Majestic Radios joined McKeesports, Burns A.A., East Pittsburgh Firemen, West View and Ambridge.
McKeesports Olympics entered the conference as the reigning independent grid champions from the previous year. They opened the new season on September 28 when they travelled to West View. More than 10,000 fans turned out in ideal weather to watch a disappointing 0-0 tie.
“The expected sensational play expected from these formidable rivals was missing. The Olympics players lacked cohesion offensively, while the Viewers were unable to uncork a good aerial game against the alert opposing backs.”
To lead the Majestics, Art Rooney acquired the talented West Virginia quarterback Marshall “Little Sleepy” Glenn to complement his brother James Rooney of Pitt. Together, with Mose Kelsch and Red Hull, the Majestics were expected to make quite an impression in the new loop.
There was much anticipation when the Majestics faced their first opponents in the conference on a Wednesday evening. Floodlights were introduced at Parnassus Field for the first time and Burns A.A. of New Kensington took to the field on a cold October 1 night before a crowd approaching 10,000.
The only score of the game came on a bizarre play as described by the Pittsburgh Press. “Burns’ Toby Uansa fired a long pass toward the right corner of the field. The ball bounced off a Burns player’s back, struck and bounded off Majestics’ Harp Vaughn’s back into the hands of “Buck” Chili, who seemingly arrived from nowhere. He romped home untouched 10 yards for the touchdown.”
Jim Rooney was easily the outstanding player. His reliable kicking and forward passing were exceptional, but he would finish on the losing side as the Majestics’ season began without the expected win.
Kelsch wasn’t on the field long enough to make an impact for the Majestics while the recently acquired Jim Levey did not dress for the game.
The Majestics only had to wait four days before enjoying a 27-0 romp against the East Pittsburgh Firemen on their home ground, Sullivan Field.
“Jim Rooney, Sleepy Glenn and Harp Vaughn were outstanding in the Majestics’ attack and this trio accounted for most of the ground gained. Rooney’s punting, hurling of passes and kicking point afters being little short of spectacular.”
Following the game Art Rooney announced he was moving the team’s home location to Ridgeway Speedway which would provide the organization with more parking.
Jim Rooney’s passing guided the team next to a14-0 win in Johnstown against a Prospect A.C. team. On a Wednesday evening in a game outside of the conference, Art Rooney used the opportunity to gauge the success of playing games under lights.
The Majestics next conferences game saw them travel to West View Park to play Paul Muzzio’s formidable Viewers. Despite Jim Rooney’s accurate passing, the game ended 0-0, although the Majestic did have their chances to leave with a win.
They missed a field goal attempt and had another blocked which almost cost them the game. West View recovered and returned the ball to the Majestics’ 30-yard line before Harp Vaughan’s timely tackled prevented the Viewers scoring. Three field goal attempts were missed in total by both teams as they struggled to put points on the board.
With two wins and a tie, the Olympics were top of the conference while West View with one win and two ties sat in second place.
Three days later, the Majestics beat the Westmoreland Steamrollers 12-0 at Athletic Field, Jeannette. In another game outside of the conference, Mose Kelsch plunged over from the one for their first touchdown before Sweeney intercepted and returned the ball for a score.
On October 19, the Majestics travelled to Ambridge to play the Mystics at Fair Oaks Field. The Majestics struck early in the first quarter. They moved the chains five times overwhelming their opponents before Kelsch finished the drive with a touchdown run. “Red” Whitmore returned a punt sixty yards for the Majestics second score as they won 13-0.
Olympics 3-0-1 Majestics 2-1-1 Burns 2-1-1 West View 1-0-3 Firemen 1-3-0 Mystics 0-4-0
