Guide to the Gerry Adair Collection of Pittsburgh Soccer 1912-1989
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Gerry Adair Collection of Pittsburgh Soccer
- Creator
- Gerry Adair
- Collection Number
- mss 0866
- Extent
- .25 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1912-1989
- Abstract
- The Gerry Adair Collection on the Morgan-Strasser Soccer Club contains materials relating to the Morgan Strasser Jewelers and Pittsburgh Indians soccer clubs. The collection contains materials relating to soccer in Western Pennsylvania during the twentieth century.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- 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
Supported by the area's immigrant populations of Scotch-Irish, Italian,and Eastern European origin, the sport of soccer gained popularity in Western Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. The Morgan Strasser Jewelers were a soccer team affiliated with the town of Morgan, PA, which is located in South Fayette Township. The Morgan team was a member of the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Association, established in 1913, which in turn was affiliated with the United States Football (soccer) Association. In 1939 the team became known as the Morgan Strasser Jewelers - named after local Chartiers Valley jeweler Peter Strasser, who began sponsoring the team in 1939. The Strassers established themselves under manger Tony 'Doc' Casciola as a top-rate soccer team locally as well as nationally during the 1940s. The Strassers were champions of the Keystone League in the 1938-1939, 1939-1940, 1942-1943, and 1944-1945 seasons, also winning the West Penn Cup in 1941, 1945, 1946, and 1949. They competed in and won the National Amateur Cup Championship in 1940 and 1943, altogether appearing in the championship game four times. Besides competing for the National Amateur Cup, the Strassers also competed for the National Open Cup. The Strassers appeared in the finals of this tournament, which was open to both amateur and professional teams, in 1943 and 1944, finally winning the cup in 1949.
In 1946, Peter Strasser and Coach Tony 'Doc' Casciola, encouraged by the amateur success of the team, decided to apply for admission to the newly established North American Professional Soccer League. Renamed the Pittsburgh Indians, they competed against teams from Toronto, Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit. At that time the Pittsburgh Indians were the only professional soccer team to hail from Western Pennsylvania, and it would remain the only one until the formation of the Pittsburgh Phantoms in 1967 and later the Pittsburgh Spirit (Major Indoor Soccer League [MISL]) and Pittsburgh Riverhounds (United Soccer League Second Division [USL]). Indian home games were played at Bridgeville Park and Forbes Field (former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers). The Indians won the league championship in 1947 under manager Eugene Huellen; however, due to financial difficulties the league folded after the season. Peter Strasser returned the team to the Morgan name and to the Keystone League, however, with the hope of eventually returning the team to the professional ranks.
In 1977, Peter Strasser was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to and support of the game of soccer. Two hall of fame players who played for the Morgan team and the Pittsburgh Indians were Aldo "Buff" Donelli and Paul Danilo. Both of them were members of the United States Soccer Association and are members of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. They are the only players from Western Pennsylvania to be inducted. Donelli played for the Morgan club in the 1920s and came out of retirement to play with the Morgan Strasser's in 1943. He also played for the 1934 U.S. World Cup team in Italy, scoring four goals against Mexico. He was not limited to soccer only; he coached the Duquesne football team, Cleveland Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers for half of a season in 1941. Paul Danilo played for the Strassers and the Indians and became the manager of the Morgan club after his retirement in 1952.
Scope and Content Notes
The Gerry Adair Collection on the Morgan Strasser soccer club consists of typewritten notes from the 1946 North American Professional Soccer League board of directors meeting in Chicago, Illinois, reproductions of newspaper articles relating to Pittsburgh soccer clubs, team photographs and photos of game action, game programs including one from the 1952 National Amateur Western Finals, and two soccer rule books issued by what is now known as the United States Soccer Federation, beginning in 1941.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Gerry Adair in 2007.
Archives accession # 2007.0012
Preferred Citation
Gerry Adair Collection of Pittsburgh Soccer, 1912-1989, mss 0866 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by James Northway on 10/10/2012. Preliminary inventory created in 2007.
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 Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Peter Merovich Papers and Photographs, 1920s-1990s, MSS 0729, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
The museum maintains a Morgan Strassers Soccer jersey and a Pittsburgh Indians soccer jersey. Museum Accession # 2006.110
Subjects
- Strasser Jewelers.
- North American Soccer Football League.
- American Soccer Football League.
- Keystone League.
- National Soccer Hall of Fame.
- Western Pennsylvania Soccer Football Association.
- Peter Strasser.
- Anthony "Doc" Casciola.
- Morgan (Pa.)
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Soccer—Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.