Month: April 2025

Although the fledgling Continental Football League didn’t play its first regular season game until August 14, 1965, the COFL saw a flurry of activity in late April of that year.

Between April 27 and April 28, the Rhode Island Indians named Mickey Connolly its head coach; Babe Dimancheff took the same job with the Philadelphia Bulldogs; and Continental League president Happy Chandler (former commissioner of Major League Baseball) was about to embark on a tour of the circuit’s franchises.

However, it was a battle between the COFL’s Hartford Charter Oaks and Holyoke Bombers of the Atlantic Coast Football League that made minor league football a major news story during baseball season.

First, some background.

The flagship franchises of the Continental League were the Charleston Rockets, Fort Wayne Warriors, Hartford, Newark Bears, Norfolk Neptunes, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, Richmond Rebels, Toronto Rifles and Wheeling Ironmen.

Hartford, Newark, Norfolk (originally the Springville Acorns before moving to Virginia) and Richmond broke away from the ACFL (formed in 1962) to join the COFL, while Wheeling and Charleston became members after the United Football League folded. Toronto, Philly and Ft. Wayne were relocated from their previous UFL cities (Montreal, Canton and Indianapolis, respectively).

Rhode Island was the only “new” team.

The 1965 ACFL lineup featured the Boston Steamrollers, Harrisburg Capitols, Holyoke, Jersey Jets, Mohawk Valley Falcons, New Bedford Sweepers, Pittsburgh Valley Ironmen and Scranton Miners.

Mike Mosolf, a 6-1 quarterback, had spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Warriors (during their UFL days) and Canadian Football League Ottawa Rough Riders before starring with Hartford in 1964.

During the Charter Oaks’ farewell season in the ACFL, he passed for 976 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 312 yards in leading Hartford to an 8-6-1 record. He was also an outstanding punter.

The Charter Oaks expected the 25-year-old to be their field general again as the club switched leagues in 1965, but on April 27, Holyoke owner Socco Babacas announced Mosolf had signed with the Bombers.

This news blindsided Don Brewer, general manager of the Hartford side.

“We’re truly disappointed,” Brewer told the Hartford Courant. “Actually, we’re shocked over Mike’s decision. We were completely unaware of Mike’s decision to play with Holyoke. We felt we had treated him as fairly as possible.

“We feel that Mike has a moral and legal obligation toward the Oaks and we have turned the situation over to our lawyers. He signed with us legally. He agreed with our first contract when we were still a member of the ACFL and later signed a second contract when we officially joined the Continental League.”

Holyoke was given draft rights over Hartford players when the Charter Oaks withdrew from their old league. And Babacas said the bylaws of the ACFL state that the contracts of players in that league still belong to the league if a club resigns.

“I’m in the right,” Babacas said in an interview with the Courant on May 3, 1965. “I’m not worried about being right or wrong. I talked to (NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle) and he says I have nothing to worry about.”

T. Owen Eagen, attorney for the Hartford group, disagreed.

“In resigning from the league voluntarily,” he said, “the Charter Oaks took proper legal steps to protect their players. I feel sorry for (Mosolf). He messed himself up signing all these contracts. You can’t force anybody to play for you, but you can prevent him from playing for someone else. This is not out of a spirit of vindictiveness, but we must make them honor contracts.”

The Continental League certainly didn’t want one of its first major news flashes to come from a courtroom, but it happened. On May 20, Judge Francis J. Quirico issued a temporary injunction ordering Mosolf to play for the Charter Oaks. The Patriot-News reported that in Mosolf’s testimony he said that he considered the Hartford contract “ineffective” because the franchise didn’t complete it by entering the amount he was to be paid for each game.

A hearing on the merits of the case was slated for July 26 – less than three weeks from the start of the COFL season – but on July 22, Mosolf agreed to terms with the Charter Oaks and the legal part of the saga effectively ended.

“He advised us that he would like to rejoin the Charter Oaks for the 1965 season,” Brewer said. “He feels that his decision to sign with another club was ill-advised, and he has expressed to us his regrets for the problems the actions have caused the personnel of this ballclub.”

Turns out, there were no happy endings for either team – or the quarterback they both wanted.

The Charter Oaks finished 2-12 and last in the COFL West.

Mosolf’s campaign resulted in just 325 yards through the air, two touchdowns and three INTS, although he continued to handle punting duties. By the time the season was done the team had put several different players behind center. Lee Grosscup (who became a successful broadcaster who covered everything from the American Football League to the original USFL) played the most, tossing for 1,456 yards, 10 TD and 15 interceptions.

Grosscup also briefly served as player/coach after Hartford boss Fred Wallner resigned in September.

Holyoke logged a 2-9-1 worksheet, bad enough for last place in the ACFL Northern Division. Jerry Whelchel started at QB for the Bombers, finishing with 1,844 yards and 15 touchdown passes against 13 picks.

While much of the tackle football world is focused on the first round of the NFL Draft tonight (I’m hoping the Jets don’t select a Division III long snapper with their first pick), I was more interested in the event that took place in Toronto this morning.

That’s when Stewart Johnston, the 15^th commissioner of the Canadian Football League, held his introductory press conference. As a longtime CFL fan from south of Canada’s border, I was both curious and excited to hear what the new boss had to say.

There were no surprises and none were really expected. He thanked outgoing commissioner Randy Ambrosie for his “dedication and leadership and friendship,” and stressed that he’ll be overseeing a healthy organization.

“Over the past few years, the CFL has seen remarkable growth,” said Johnston, a longtime executive at The Sports Network (TSN), a Canadian sports channel. “Last year, leaguewide revenues surpassed the threshold for growth sharing by $18 million, resulting in a significant increase to the 2025 cap. Game day revenues and attendance have increased in each of the last three seasons. Our digital presence has expanded with 42 percent growth in engagements. TV audiences have increased in each of the last two seasons. These stats highlight the positive trajectory of our league and the bright future ahead.”

Ambrosie spent eight years as CFL commissioner, with mixed results.

During his watch, ownership was solidified in the Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver markets, and – as Johnston mentioned – the circuit appears to be as healthy as it’s been in a while. All those were major wins for the former commish.

But there were also big swings and big misses.

The CFL 2.0 initiative added some international players to CFL rosters, but it didn’t provide a financial boost or expand the league’s footprint. A partnership with Mexico’s Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional hinted at the CFL playing games in Mexico, but that never happened.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was cancelled when Ambrosie was unable to secure financial help from the federal government. Neither a bubble format or shortened season could be worked out, and according to the Canadian Press, the CFL lost anywhere from $60 million to $80 million that year.

And in 2021 there was talk of a possible merger with the third reboot of the XFL, which some people feared might remake the three down game into a more Americanized competition.

Johnston wants to make sure the CFL maintains a strong Canadian “feel.”

“The CFL is a symbol of Canadian pride and unity,” he said. “Our league embodies the values that make Canada great –resiliency, diversity and community spirit.”

Johnston added that franchises are more than a business venture, but part of the fabric of their communities. He vow they’ll stay that way.

“The CFL has always been more than just a sports league, it is a community,” Johnston said. “Our teams are deeply rooted in their cities and towns, and our fans are the lifeblood of our league. At a time when Canadians are feeling a renewed sense of patriotism, we will strengthen these bonds by engaging with our communities, supporting local initiatives and giving back in meaningful ways.”

A major issue facing the CFL is an aging fan base. Under Ambrosie, the league seemed to be running in place in that regard. Johnston wants to use every avenue to make it more appealing to younger people, and says flag football is a good tool to bring in younger fans.

“We face stiff competition from other sports leagues as well as other forms of entertainment, and we must work diligently to attract and retain fans,” Johnston stressed. “Adapting to changes in consumer behavior, such as the shift towards digital media and streaming platforms is crucial, and we must address the aging fan base by developing strategies to appeal to younger generations. Introducing young people to the sport of football is essential for the future of the CFL and flag football plays a crucial role in this effort.

“So, short term, let’s go to where those younger fans are looking for entertaining content. Long term, I want kids touching footballs. I want them playing football. I want them understanding football. I want them loving football.”

Johnston also admitted expansion to a tenth franchise was not a top priority. There has been talk of a Halifax team for decades, but funding for a suitable stadium has yet to be secured.

“It will not be a primary focus for me as I take on this role,” he said. “I want to get this league with the nine clubs that we have in the best shape it can be. I think if we accomplish that, and I’m confident that we can, that expansion becomes even more viable. So no, I’m not going to be actively looking for a tenth team.

“However, if a great ownership group approaches us, we’ll certainly be listening.”

As someone who has loved the CFL for more than half a century, I always hope the tenure of a new commissioner will be the best tenure yet. With Johnston’s background and obvious passion for the game, he has a chance to be transformative.

Although I’m a fan of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, I cheer for the entire league. So that means I’ll be cheering for Johnston as he takes the reins of my favorite gridiron league.