Extending the Tradition
The New Castle Thunder looks to extend the glorius tradition of New Castle football by bringing the city its first minor league football team. In 2008, the Thunder will play all of it's home games in New Castle High School's Taggart Stadium. Football is bigger than life in Western Pennsylvania, and New Castle has helped define it's football heritage.
The Glorius Tradition
Professional football was born in Western Pennsylvania. The region's high schools and colleges have turned out some of the greatest players the game has known. Players such as Dan Marino, Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas.
Lawrence County has spawned legends of its own who have payed a role in perpetuating this football tradition. New Castle's fooball lineage reflects the ethic of hard work and dedication that helped make this area a football hot-bed.
High school coaching legend Philip "Bridie" Bridenbaugh first established New Castle as a football power, compiling a 273-63-26 record from 1922 to 1925. Lindy Lauro added to this success. Lauro's teams went undefeated six years and won three WPIAL championships, while compiling a 220-104 record.
Lawrence County has been home to several NFL players. Bill McPeak went to the Pro-Bowl three times in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers between 1949-58. Bruce Clark, a standout for New Castle High, went on to play pro football in Canada and the NFL. Darrell Dess played in the NFL from 1953 to 1965 with the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Detroit Lions. Dess was selected for the Pro-Bowl twice.
Taggart Stadium
Taggart Stadium, originally known as Franklin Field, shares in this heritage of outstanding football. New Castle became one of the first high school teams in the country to play night football, in 1929, when lights were installed at the stadium. ore than 12,000 fans crowded into stadium seats for big games in the 1940s and 1950s. Taggart Stadium has hosted legendary players such as Joe Namath of Beaver Falls, Tony Dorsett of Hopewell, Mike Ditka of Aliquippa and Terry Hanratty of Butler.