History comes to life with reemergence of Youngstown Patricians started in 1910’s

Mahoning Valley history has come to life with the reemergence of a semi-professional football team which also serves as a nonprofit benefiting the community.

The Youngstown Patricians, founded by John Galbraith, was established in December 2024.

The organization pays homage to the original Youngstown Patricians team that played football professionally during the 1910s, prior to the start of the NFL and professional football as it is known today.

While the game of football is what the general public will know the organization as, media relations co-manager Tyler Oriti said its overarching objective is to be a force of good in the communities it calls home.

“As a Christian-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit, we strive to make the lives of everyone we interact with better by supporting charitable causes, fostering a sense of community, and providing opportunities for individuals to be productive citizens,” he said.

Oriti said the nonprofit is using football and its popularity to spread the good work of the Lord and provide a sense of community and belonging to all who volunteer, play on the team, and cheer in the stands.

Being a semi-professional football team, the organization also provides opportunities for players to pursue their dreams of playing football on a competitive level should things not work out for them at the professional level, according to Oriti.

“The organization is important because it provides young adult men a positive outlet and allows them to be involved in Christian fellowship and be positive citizens in the community,” he said. “The Patricians will volunteer and donate their time and raise money for community projects and charities in our area and around the world.”

Oriti explained that so far, the Youngstown Patricians have monetarily supported both a kids youth basketball camp and a spaghetti dinner for a child fighting a rare form of cancer.

He said select members of the team also recently participated in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation head shaving event at Penguin City Brewery which benefits kids with cancer.

“We as a team donated over $800 - between us and everyone participating in the event, we were able to exceed the event goal of $50,000 which we have also contributed towards,” Oriti said.

In April the organization is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at its football field in Campbell which will include a basket raffle, kid’s games, other activities, and an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny.

On May 24, it will be hosting a football camp at the old Jackson-Milton High School stadium. Oriti said members of the staff will be there to teach the kids the basics of football and how to play the game safely.

The football team plays in the Premier Amateur Football League (PAFL), which consists of teams in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Patricians are made up of former high school and college players.

Players include:

Oriti said in 2015 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the championship, Youngstown native and retired Air Force Reserve Colonel Edward “Otto” Pernotto commissioned a painting by local artist and St. Patrick parishioner Ray Simon. Pernotto’s grandfather played for the Patricians, and he did not want them lost to history.

The painting featured the team’s only known photo of all the players, Saint Patrick’s Church, the Jenny Blast Furnace, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He said the painting was unveiled at a party featuring local leaders, media, and descendants of the players, many of whom were brought to tears as they thought the team was lost forever.

Oriti said the organization hopes to expand to other sports in the future.

“We are excited to see what else the future brings for this young team, and hopefully, there are many more seasons ahead for us,” Oriti said. “Eventually, we would also like to expand into additional sports when the time is appropriate.”

The Youngstown Patricians will kick off the inaugural season on May 31 at the old Jackson Milton High School stadium at 10748 Mahoning Avenue.

For more information, visit the Youngstown Patricians website.

This story was originally published March 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.