'83 Chronology-Pittsburgh Picks Pendry

Event Date: August 2nd, 1983

Event Description: Pendry Hired

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Salt & Pepper

Event Date: July 28th, 1983

Event Description: Young Secures Stadium

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Television Syndication

Event Date: July 27th, 1983

Event Description: IFL TV Deal

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Lend Lease

Event Date: July 26th, 1983

Event Description: Young Seeks Stadium

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Dickerson Deal

Event Date: July 23rd, 1983

Event Description: Dickerson Signs

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Exploratory Talks

Event Date: July 23rd, 1983

Event Description: Bengals Pursue Wideout

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-New Kid In Town

Event Date: July 22nd, 1983

Event Description: New Kid In Town

Source: UPI

The new sports kid in town is being welcomed with open arms.

Logan Young, a 42-year-old millionaire businessman with ties to Arkansas, has been granted the Memphis franchise for a USFL team, one of four expansion teams for 1984. Young has yet to name the team.

The Memphis Park Commission is expected to grant Young a lease for use of Liberty Bowl Stadium for next season.

The commission has another lease proposal from the newly formed International Football League, but it is believed Young will be given the lease since the USFL has one season of experience and the IFL has not played a down.

Young said he is prepared to remain as full owner or he may consider selling a partial interest in his franchise to local investors.

“I have some friends in Memphis who probably would be willing to buy limited interest in the team,” he said. “I think it would be good for several reasons for others to be involved in ownership, but I am not interested in selling any part of the team until we've put together a front office and coaching staff.”

Young had been in the forefront of a drive to get an NFL franchise for Memphis. But when the league said it would not expand for the next few years, he began looking for another place to plunk down his money and found the USFL ready and waiting.

Memphis is no stranger to professional football. The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the strongest franchises in the old World Football League, which went under after one season.

John Bassett, former owner of the Grizzlies and now owner of the USFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is chairman of the new league's expansion committee and has been one of most vocal supporters of Memphis as a pro sports town.

Charles Cavagnaro, Memphis State athletic director, was general manager of the now-defunct Memphis Tams of the American Basketball Association. He said another pro team will be good for the city.

“It's going to be interesting,” Cavagnaro said. “I think obviously the community has demonstrated in the past that it wants pro football desperately.”

The athletic director said a USFL franchise would not draw fans away from the Memphis State Tigers since the new league plays its games in the spring and summer.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Doomsday?

Event Date: July 22nd, 1983

Event Description: USFL Expansion

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Sweet Sixteen

Event Date: July 21st, 1983

Event Description: Memphis Awarded Franchise

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Decision Time

Event Date: July 20th, 1983

Event Description: Williams Quitting?

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-The Next Herschel?

Event Date: July 20th, 1983

Event Description: Chet Simmons Interview

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-The Butler Did It

Event Date: July 20th, 1983

Event Description: Bandits Sign Butler

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Ownership Wranglings

Event Date: July 20th, 1983

Event Description:  Joseph May Sell Club

Source: UPI

Heart surgeon Dr. Ted Diethrich may buy at least part ownership in the Arizona Wranglers of the U.S. Football League, a Phoenix newspaper reported Friday.

The Phoenix Gazette said Wrangler owner Jim Joseph was talking with Diethrich, director of the Arizona Heat Institute in Phoenix and the principal owner of the Chicago Blitz of the USFL.

Joseph, interviewed by the Gazette at USFL meetings in Denver before last weekend's league championship game, said he was negotiating with a pair of groups interested in buying the team. The second group consists of Bill Tatham Sr. and his son Bill Jr.. The Tathams were awarded an expansion franchise but have had trouble securing a new city after their failed bid to put a team in San Diego.

Joseph has indicated in the past that he wanted to retain a majority interest in the team, but said that goal could change if either Diethrich or the Tathams decide to purchase the club.

Diethrich confirmed that he was talking with Joseph, but did not disclose any details. Diethrich said the Blitz, which averaged 18,091 fans this season, lost about $3 million, “about double what I expected.”

In a Chicago interview at the end of the Blitz season, Diethrich indicated he would be interested in owning the Phoenix franchise because ownership of the Chicago team has interferred with his medical work. Diethrich said he spent a 'tremendous amount' of time in Chicago, tending to Blitz business at the expense of his medical practice.

As for the Tathams they are believed to have interest in the Wranglers’, but would want to “start fresh by establishing a new team identity”. The current Wranglers’ squad finished the year with a (1-17) record.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-League Awards

Event Date: July 19th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Awards

Source: Pro Football Weekly

'83 Chronology-Lets Get Blitzed!

Event Date: July 18th, 1983

Event Description: Blitz Take Title!

Source: UPI

Wide receiver Trumaine Johnson ran through the Stars’ secondary for 107 yards and one touchdown catch, to give Chicago claim to the first United States Football League championship with a 17-14 upset victory over the Philadelphia Stars.

“Now I have something to brag about this summer,” said the former Grambling star who was named the MVP of the contest.

The Stars missed a chance to tie the game in the final quarter when kicker David Trout missed a late field goal. 

“We tried to come back,” Philadelphia Coach Jim Mora said, “but just ran out of time. We played well but Chicago played better. We got off to a slow start and it's tougher to come back as the teams get better. But our guys never quit.”

The Stars spotted Chicago a 17-7 lead heading into the final quarter of the title game but quarterback Chuck Fusina promptly rallied his team for a score with 7:26 remaining closing the gap to 17-14 after a Scott Fitzkee touchdown reception.

Chicago then quickly turned the ball back over to Philadelphia after a quick three and out. The Stars then drove 46 yards via a ten-play drive, only to be stymied by the missed field goal.

“I'm disappointed,” Fusina said. “I came up short in the Sugar Bowl (1978 with Penn State) and again here tonight. Hopefully the third time will be the charm. This is a good experience for us. We'll come back next year even hungrier.”

Fusina was16-of-33 for 160 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown. His counterpart Greg Landry finished 10-of-20 for 158 yards with one interception and two touchdowns.

League MVP Kelvin Bryant led all rushers with 95 yards on 17 carries with one score. Mack Boatner led the Chicago ground attack with 60 yards on ten carries. Tim Spencer was held to just 43 yards on 12 attempts.

“They outplayed us and deserved to win,” said Philadelphia tackle Irv Eatman, who shunned a high draft from the NFL to sign with the Stars. “They took advantage of our mistakes. But we took it down to the wire, never gave up fighting. I'm proud of this team.”

Game Notes: The Stars finished with four turnovers as compared to only two for Chicago...Don Fielder led the Stars defense with 12 tackles and three runs stuffs...Jim Fahnhorst was awarded a game ball by Chicago head coach George Allen after posting seven tackles, one sack, two deflections, one forced fumble and one interception.

(Story-Modifeid UPI)

'83 Chronology-Wheeling & Dealing

Event Date: July 17th, 1983

Event Description: Strock Talks

Source: Daily Leader

'83 Chronology-The Best & The Worst

Event Date: July 15th, 1983

Event Description: Salary Ceiling

Source: Lakeland Ledger*

'83 Chronology-Second Chances

Event Date: July 15th, 1983

Event Description: Schlichter May Play

Source: Kingman Daily Miner

'83 Chronology-Week #20 Preview

Event Date: July 15th, 1983

Event Description: Week #20 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #20 USFL Preview

Sunday, July 17th

(16-3) Chicago Blitz at (18-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -2)

Television Coverage: ABC National

'83 Chronology-Willing to Listen

Event Date: July 15th, 1983

Event Description: Panther Ponders Jump

Source: Lakeland Ledger 

'83 Chronology-Friction

Event Date: July 14th, 1983

Event Description: Bengals Fire Infante

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Scouting Party

Event Date: July 14th, 1983

Event Description: Zonk Hunting Bulls

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Exclusive Rights

Event Date: July 13th, 1983

Event Description: Argos Want Williams

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-In the Red

Event Date: July 13th, 1983

Event Description: Loss Ledger

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Bullish on Infante

Event Date: July 13th, 1983

Event Description: Bullard Hires Infante

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Mutual Interest

Event Date: July 13th, 1983

Event Description: Bulls Pursue Pair

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Great Expectations?

Event Date: July 12th, 1983

Event Description: Smash or Flop?

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

'83 Chronology-Stars Maul Michigan

Event Date: July 11th, 1983

Event Description: Stars Maul Michigan

Source: Pro Football News

Chuck Fusina threw three touchdown passes and Kelvin Bryant ran for two more Sunday to power the Philadelphia Stars to a 48-7 triumph over Michigan in the USFL semifinal round, sending the Stars to the USFL Championship next week in Denver.

Fusina connected on 17-of-21 passes for 155 yards, with no interceptions and just one sack. The former Penn State star led the way with touchdown strikes to Bryant, tight end Steve Folsom and fullback David Riley. 

Bryant, the USFL rushing champion finished with just 48 yards on 16 carries to go along with three receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown reception.

The Michigan offense sputtered troughout the contest as Bobby Hebert was held to just 24 yards passing while being intercepted three times, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

The Stars will now travel to Denver to take on Chicago, the only team to have beaten them this season.

Game Notes: Allen Harvin led all rushers with 50 yards on 11 carries...the Panthers committed eight turnovers and were just one of thirteen on third down.

'83 Chronology-Blitz Edge Gold

Event Date: July 10th, 1983

Event Description: Blitz Edge Gold

Source: PFW

Frank Corral kicked three field goals and Walt Easley added a third quarter touchdown run, giving the Chicago Blitz a 16-10 victory over the Denver Gold Saturday in their USFL playoff opener.

Corral nailed two second quarter field goals as the Blitz took a 6--0 lead into halftime.

Early in the third frame, Chicago pivot Tim Koegel lofted a pass over the head of intended receiver Trumaine Johnson and defensive back David Dumars intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown as Denver then took a 7-6 lead. 

The Blitz then responded with an 18-play, 80 yard drive which culminated with easley’s touchdown plunge as the Blitz moved  back on top by a score of 13-7.

Early in the final frame the Gold started from their 26 and Ken Johnson took Denver deep into Chicago territory before the drive stalled and Brian Speelman connected on a 24-yard field goal, bring the Gold to within three at 13-10.

Corral kicked his final field goal in the fourth period after a Ken Johnson interception at the two-minute mark sealed the win for Chicago.

A crowd of 28,090 sat through sweltering heat for the sluggish contest. Early in the second half, the temperature was 85 degrees with a humidity of 76 per cent. Temperatures were much higher on the field.

The Blitz will now meet Philadelphia in next weeks’ championship game in a battle between the leagues’ two best teams.

Game Notes; Chicago starting quarterback Greg Landry as sidelined due to injury, but team officals believe he will be ready to play next week...Denver committed eight turnovers while the Blitz were responsible for five.

'83 Chronology-Week #19 Preview

Event Date: July 8th, 1983

Event Description: Week #19 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #19 USFL Preview

Saturday, July 9th

(8-10) Denver Gold at  (15-3) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -8)

Television Coverage: ABC National

Sunday, July 10th

(14-4) Michigan Panthers  at (17-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -6)

Television Coverage: ABC National

'83 Chronology-Iron City Eyes

Event Date: July 8th, 1983

Event Description: Heddleston Named GM

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

'83 Chronology-League MVP

Event Date: July 8th, 1983

Event Description: Bryant Named MVP

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Bulls Eye

Event Date: July 6th, 1983

Event Description: The Jacksonville Bulls

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Eye on Indiana?

Event Date: July 6th, 1983

Event Description: Breakers Eye Indy Dome

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Show Me The Money

Event Date: July 6th, 1983

Event Description: Dickerson Seeks Deal

Source: The Montreal Gazette

'83 Chronology-Holiday Conflict Part II

Event Date: July 4th, 1983

Event Description: Stallions Ink Superstar

Source: The Montreal Gazette

'83 Chronology-Holiday Conflict Part I

Event Date: July 4th, 1983

Event Description: Martha Named Grid President

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

'83 Chronology-Un-Lucky

Event Date: July 4th, 1983

Event Description: CFL Report

Source: Montreal Gazette

'83 Chronology-Coming Home

Event Date: July 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Cribbs Jumps

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Week #18 Preview

Event Date: July 1st, 1983

Event Description: Week #18 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #18 USFL Preview

Saturday, July 2nd

   (5-12) Tampa Bay Bandits at (12-5) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -4)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

Sunday, July 3rd

  (7-10) Oakland Invaders at  (14-3) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -8)

Television Coverage: ABC National

 (3-14) New Jersey Generals at (8-9) Boston Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -6)

Television Coverage: Local

 (1-16) Arizona Wranglers at (13-4) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -12)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional

       (16-1) Philadelphia Stars at (9-8) Washington Federals

Latest Line: (Stars -7)

Television Coverage: Local

  (8-9) Denver Gold at (6-11) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Gold -2)

Television Coverage: Local