Guide to the Pittsburgh Maulers Game Film 1984

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Pittsburgh Maulers Game Films
Creator
Pittsburgh Maulers
Collection Number
MSS 0637
Extent
1.00 linear feet (2 boxes)
Date
1984
Abstract
The Pittsburgh Maulers played in the United States Football League for one season in 1984. The Pittsburgh Maulers Game Films contains eight reels of film documenting four games from the Maulers 1984 season.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Alex J. Toner.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

The Pittsburgh Maulers joined the United States Football League in 1984 when the league expanded to 18 teams. The Maulers were owned by Edward DeBartolo, CEO of the DeBartolo Corporation, and then owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Spirit. The Pittsburgh Maulers played their games at Three Rivers Stadium and went 3-15 in their first and only season in the USFL.

The United States Football League existed from 1983 through 1986, holding its seasons during the spring and early summer months. The league was founded by David Dixon, and debuted in 1983 with teams in 12 major cities across the U.S. Several college football standouts elected to sign with USFL teams, including Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, defensive end Reggie White, and quarterbacks Doug Flutie, Jim Kelly and Steve Young. The league garnered national television attention from the ABC and ESPN networks, and regularly averaged attendance above 24,000 per game. The USFL won an antitrust lawsuit against the National Football League in 1986, but was unable to compete with the NFL financially or in popularity. After unsuccessfully attempting to challenge the NFL by converting to a fall schedule, the league folded in 1986.

Scope and Content Notes

Pittsburgh Maulers Game Films includes eight reels of film documenting four different games from the maulers 1984 season. The film showcases matches against the New Jersey Generals, San Antonio Gunslingers, Washington Federals, and Houston Gamblers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Huefelder, Elaine in 2008.

Archives accession # 2008.0143

Preferred Citation

Pittsburgh Maulers Game Films, 1984, MSS 0637, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Alex J. Toner on 11/2/11.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Related Materials

Pittsburgh Maulers media guide, 1 GV956 .P55 M3 1-4

Separated Materials

A DVD-R of several 1984 Pittsburgh Spirit commercials.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • USFL(Organization)

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Football films
    • Pittsburgh Maulers -Football Teams

Container List