From the Archives: Football in Pittsburgh

Football player sitting on Steelers helmet

By Kathleen Donahoe and Brad King

As Pittsburgh prepares to host the 2026 NFL Draft, the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries is looking back at more than a century of football history preserved in the University Archives.

In the 1920s and '30s, Carnegie Tech wasn't just a technical school; it was a legitimate football powerhouse. In 1926, the Tartans handed Knute Rockne's Notre Dame its only loss of the season, a stunning upset that put the Oakland campus on the national sports map. More than a decade later, Carnegie Tech would play in the 1939 Sugar Bowl, ranked among the best programs in the country.

As Carnegie Tech's football team was gaining national notoriety, the American Professional Football Association (APFA) — founded on September 17, 1920, and later renamed the National Football League — was emerging.

When Art Rooney's Pittsburgh Pirates — soon renamed the Steelers — entered the NFL in 1933, the city's college rosters fed the new franchise. Carnegie Tech players Don Campbell and Merl Condit made the jump from campus to the pros, part of the generation that built Pittsburgh football from the ground up.

The Steelers and Pittsburgh's universities have always shared more than a city. From the team's founding through the late 1990s, the Rooneys used facilities at Duquesne University as a primary training site. In the 1970s and '80s, the team held scrimmages across the region. And in the late 1980s and early 1990s, those practices brought the Steelers to CMU's own field.

That connection endures. As recently as August 2025, Gesling Stadium — built on the same east campus ground where Carnegie Tech once competed — hosted NFL teams during preseason joint practices with the Steelers.

The Archives’ collections are available for use by community members and researchers throughout the year. Visit during drop-in hours on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, or contact the archivists to schedule an appointment.

The first Tartan football team was formed in 1906, playing without any kind of gym or practice facility on campus.
The first Tartan football team was formed in 1906, playing without any kind of gym or practice facility on campus.
A game against Waynesburg in the early days of the team. The back of the photograph, though undated, notes that Carnegie Tech is scoring the first touchdown of the game, which they won 25-0.
A game against Waynesburg in the early days of the team. The back of the photograph, though undated, notes that Carnegie Tech is scoring the first touchdown of the game, which they won 25-0.

The 1926 team, which pulled off what is considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history when they beat Notre Dame 19-0, included two future All-Americans and College Football Hall of Famers: Lloyd Yoder (left inset) and Howard Harpster (right inset). The game against Carnegie Tech was the Irish's first and only loss of the season.
The 1926 team, which pulled off what is considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history when they beat Notre Dame 19-0, included two future All-Americans and College Football Hall of Famers: Lloyd Yoder (left inset) and Howard Harpster (right inset). The game against Carnegie Tech was the Irish's first and only loss of the season.
The Tartan football team has had several notable coaches over the years. Walter Steffen (top), inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player for the University of Chicago, coached Tech from 1914-1932 while also serving as a judge in Chicago. Chuck Klausing (bottom left), coach of the Tartans from 1976-1985, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. When Klausing left, his former player and assistant coach, Rich Lackner (bottom right), took the reins from 1986-2021. Of the nearly 600 all-time program wins, Lackner is responsible for 234 of them.
The Tartan football team has had several notable coaches over the years. Walter Steffen (top), inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player for the University of Chicago, coached Tech from 1914-1932 while also serving as a judge in Chicago. Chuck Klausing (bottom left), coach of the Tartans from 1976-1985, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. When Klausing left, his former player and assistant coach, Rich Lackner (bottom right), took the reins from 1986-2021. Of the nearly 600 all-time program wins, Lackner is responsible for 234 of them.

Our Tartans played their games on several different fields throughout their history. Early games were often played at Forbes Field.
Our Tartans played their games on several different fields throughout their history. Early games were often played at Forbes Field.
Later games were often played at Pitt Stadium.
Later games were often played at Pitt Stadium.

The “Tech Bowl,” a muddy practice field behind Margaret Morrison from the 1920s, gave way to Tech Stadium in the 1960s. Tech Stadium was later replaced by Gesling Stadium in 1990.
The “Tech Bowl,” a muddy practice field behind Margaret Morrison from the 1920s, gave way to Tech Stadium in the 1960s. Tech Stadium was later replaced by Gesling Stadium in 1990.
An action shot from a 1983 game against Case Western.
An action shot from a 1983 game against Case Western.

A Tartan player going up against Grove City College in 1990.
A Tartan player going up against Grove City College in 1990.
Steelers players practicing on CMU’s campus.
Steelers players practicing on CMU’s campus.

 

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