When the United States enters the war in Europe in 1917, things change for the second-year Dayton Triangles. Coach Nelson “Bud” Talbott and Triangles business manager Mike Redelle are among those who volunteer for military service. The team moves on with Al Mahrt as associate coach for the season and Carl Storck taking Redelle’s position as team and park manager.
The Dayton Triangles football team, which would become a founding member of the National Football League in 1920, open their inaugural season of play in 1916 under coach Nelson “Bud” Talbott. Led by rifle-armed quarterback and field general Al Mahrt, and featuring running backs Norb Sacksteder, Lou Partlow and George “Babe” Zimmerman, the Triangles formed a Dayton “dream team” that set out to capture the championship of the Ohio League.
This episode covers the 1915 season, when the former Saint Mary’s Cadets became the Dayton Gym-Cadets. It was the last year they played football under the Cadet name. The following season they merged into the Dayton Triangles. The episode also covers Nelson Talbott’s preparations for the next phase of his career, and the events leading to the birth of the Triangles.
The Saint Mary’s Cadets, forerunners of the Dayton Triangles, set out to defend their city independent football championship in 1914. However, winning the title was one thing; defending it proved quite another. Meanwhile, Nelson Talbott sought to cap his college career by leading Yale to the top of the Ivy League. Norb Sacksteder goes west and begins to build a football legend.