ISHPEMING — “Must be that the coaches believe the weather experienced of late is good for conditioning candidates for the Ishpeming independent football team, for they have been holding regular practices every evening at the playgrounds, and many a pound of surplus fat has been shed. There are in all about 40 candidates trying out, with more due to report shortly. That the fans are interested in the crew is evidenced by the fact that the sidelines are well filled each day. At the next meeting of the officers, a name will be selected for the organization, which is expected to go places on the football field this fall.” (Iron Ore, August 16, 1947)

In the summer of 1947, a group of area investors formed a semi-professional football team. World War II was over, life was returning to normal, and the investors hoped the area’s appetite for football would stretch to include a semi-professional team as well.

So, practices had started with the first home game to be held at Ishpeming on Sunday, the 14th of September. Games had to be carefully scheduled, as the playground also hosted the high school football games on Friday nights.

The coaches for the team were Joe Andriacchi, “Muggs” Gingrass and Wilfred Tippett. There were two men from Marquette and four men from Negaunee, with the remainder of the men from the Ishpeming area. There was “Yennie” Barbiere, “manager of the team, one of the city’s old campaigners in semi-pro football, who got the fever this week and has been working out with the squad.” (Mining Journal, September 13, 1947.

Also on the line-up were John Haivala, former star at Michigan Tech, B. Polkinghorne, “Gingrass, who was a member of the Michigan State varsity squad for several years; Nowell, who cavorted for Northern Michigan College of Education, and Bob Ayotte.” (Mining Journal, September 13, 1947)

“Leonard Manzoline, “Sig” Andriacchi, a star at Notre Dame, and Gordon Gregg.” (Mining Journal, September 13, 1947) were also in the line-up.

The first game was an away game. “The Ishpeming Bombers, new independent football eleven, went to Ironwood last Sunday and played the Ironwood City team in a well-played contest which ended without a score being registered by either side. The day was warm and both coaches had to make frequent substitutions, but more than 8,000 spectators enjoyed the sport.” (Iron Ore, September 13, 1947)

The Mining Journal had a different spectator count, however, and put the total at 2,000 spectators.

“Semi-professional football returned to Ishpeming in rousing style last night, when the Ishpeming Bombers and the Milwaukee Brown Bombers engaged in a titanic battle before a Playgrounds crowd estimated at nearly 3,000 persons.

After a hard and well-played game, replete with all the thrills of a professional contest, the Milwaukee Bombers took home a 7-6 victory.” (Mining Journal, September 15, 1947)

“Football fans turned out in force for the first local football game under lights. So did the mosquitoes. The latter moved in probably from the swamp which adjoins on the north. The day had been hot so the day’s hatch of the tiny pests was a good one. The lights were the attraction. There are effective preparations that will remedy the nuisance, but perhaps it is a trifle late to start control measures. There is, however, another year coming, and the swamp will still be there.” (Iron Ore, September 20, 1947)

“Playing the best football they have dished out this season, the Ishpeming Bombers trounced the Gogebic Iron Rangers , 13-7, before 700 fans at the Playgrounds Saturday night to hang up their first triumph.

Showing a reversal of the form the Bombers scored touchdowns in the second and fourth quarters to defeat a strong Gogebic aggregation that pushed across its lone tally a few minutes before the last period ended.” (Mining Journal, October 20, 1947)

Season ticket sales were slow for the 1948 season.

“The Ishpeming Bomber football team will make a concentrated drive during the next few days to sell season tickets for their home games.

They hope the advance sale of tickets will meet with (the) approval of fans. Whether the team will operate here next year will depend on the kind of support it gets this season.

The Bombers are members of the Wisconsin State football league and managers of the team point out that expenses will be high.

Changes have been made in the backfield and additions made to the line. ‘Gigs’ Gagliardi and Trombley have joined the team and are working at the end positions.” (Mining Journal, September 3, 1948)

“Plans for the opening of the Ishpeming Bombers football season here at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, September 11, against the Ironwood Rangers, are being made by the team’s business organization.” (Mining Journal, August 31, 1949) The Bombers had survived to play another season, but with new players and a new coach, Vance Hiney from Negaunee. In addition, the team had joined a different league, composed mainly of Upper Peninsula teams, which decreased travel expenses.

“An Ishpeming Bomber football team, playing in a rain here yesterday afternoon, accomplished a feat no other Bomber team had ever been able to accomplish – win a game – as they edged by the Ironwood Rangers, 6-0, in an Upper Peninsula game.” (Mining Journal, September 12, 1949) That statement was not true, as the Bombers did win a game, against the same Ironwood Rangers two years prior, but it showed just how scarce wins had been for the team.

Then tragedy struck.

“Displaying a smooth running attack and a hard charging line, the Iron County Steelers maintained their lead on first place in the Upper Peninsula football league by shutting out the Ishpeming Bombers 13-0 in perfect football weather here.” (Mining Journal, October 10, 1949)

“Norman Gauthier, Ishpeming back, broke his neck while making a tackle in the first period and was removed to the Ishpeming hospital where his condition is reported to be ‘slightly improved’ this morning.” (Sidebar, Marquette Mining Journal, October 10, 1949)

“Norman A. Gauthier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Gauthier, died at 6:45 Sunday night in the Ishpeming hospital, a week after he was injured in a football game.

A well-known athlete who was outstanding in ski jumping as well as in football, Gauthier received a broken neck in a contest between the Ishpeming Bombers and the Iron County Steelers Sunday night, Oct. 9.” (Mining Journal, October 17, 1949.)

“Circumstances beyond the control of the officers and directors of the Ishpeming Bombers, members of the Upper Peninsula Football league, have forced the club to disband for the remainder of the season, it was announced today.

Two reasons probably stand out more prominent than others for the abandonment of further efforts on the part of the team this year.

The most important one is the injury of Norman Gauthier Sunday night. He suffered a broken neck in the game with the Iron County Steelers and his condition this morning was reported as still critical.

The Bomber gridders have played without pay and the injury caused them to reflect upon the consequences if they should be injured.

It is also known that attendance at the home games has been very poor and as a result the club has been forced to operate with a deficit, which stands out as another reason for the disbanding.” (Mining Journal, October 13, 1949)