Sports in Erie, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Erie, Pennsylvania, is a city full of exciting sports teams! While many are minor league, meaning they are a step below the major professional teams, they offer lots of action. You'll also find many college and high school sports teams here. High school sports in the area, part of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (District 10), are often very competitive. Erie has a long history with different semi-pro and professional sports teams. The city even hosts a famous national event called the McDonald's Classic.
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Capacity | Founded | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie SeaWolves | EL | Baseball | UPMC Park | 6,000 | 1989 | 1 (2023) |
| Erie Otters | OHL | Ice hockey | Erie Insurance Arena | 6,833 | 1996 | 2 (2002, 2017) |
| Erie Express | TPFL | Football | Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium | 10,000 | 2012 | 3 (2010, 2021, 2022) |
| Erie Commodores FC | NPSL | Men's soccer | Saxon Stadium | 2,300 | 2012 | |
| Erie Commodores FC | UWS | Women's soccer | Saxon Stadium | 2,300 | 2021 | |
| Erie FC | WPSL | Women's soccer | Gus Anderson Field | 4,274 | 2022 |
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Baseball in Erie
The Erie SeaWolves are a baseball team that plays in the Eastern League. They are connected with the Detroit Tigers, a major league team. The SeaWolves play their home games at UPMC Park.
The SeaWolves were once linked to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Did you know the "Pirates" team name actually came from a story involving an Erie native? In 1891, a player named Lou Bierbauer from Erie was secretly signed by the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. His old team, the Philadelphia Athletics, were very upset.
An official even called the Alleghenys' actions "piratical," meaning like pirates. But the league decided the Alleghenys could keep Bierbauer. Soon, both fans and players started calling the team the "Pittsburgh Pirates." In 1891, the team officially changed its name to the "Pirates," making fun of the criticism.
Erie has also been home to other minor-league baseball teams in the past. These included the Erie Cardinals, Erie Orioles, and Erie Sailors.
Hockey in Erie
The Erie Otters are a hockey team that plays in the Ontario Hockey League. They play their games at the Erie Insurance Arena.
A famous hockey player, Connor McDavid, played for the Erie Otters from 2012 to 2015. He is from Canada and plays center. After playing for the Otters, he joined the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Otters picked him as their very first choice in a special draft.
McDavid was considered the top young player in North America for the 2015 NHL Draft. The Oilers then chose him as the first overall pick. He was so good that Hockey Canada allowed him to play in the OHL a year earlier than most players his age. He was only the third player ever to get this special permission!
Before the Otters, Erie had other professional hockey teams. These included the Erie Panthers and the Erie Blades.
Basketball in Erie
The Erie BayHawks were a basketball team that played in the NBA G League. They played at Erie Insurance Arena from 2008 to 2021.
Another team, the Erie Hurricane, played at East High School. They were part of the Premier Basketball League from 2013 to 2015.
From 1990 to 1992, the Erie Wave was also a basketball team in the city. They were part of the World Basketball League.
Soccer in Erie
The Erie Commodores FC team plays soccer in the National Premier Soccer League. They play their games at Saxon Stadium.
Stock Car Racing in Erie
Just outside of North East, Pennsylvania, you'll find Lake Erie Speedway. This is a 3/8 mile (0.6 km) NASCAR-approved race track.
In Hammett, PA, there is also Eriez Speedway. This is another 3/8 mile track, but it's a dirt track!
Famous Athletes from Erie
Many talented athletes who grew up in Erie have gone on to play professionally or achieve great things in sports. Here are some of them:
- Sig Andrusking, American football player
- Richard Arrington, football and wrestling star at Notre Dame
- Art Baker, professional football player for the Buffalo Bills
- Bruce Baumgartner, Olympic wrestler, one of the most decorated American wrestlers ever
- Lou Bierbauer, 19th-century Major League Baseball player
- Fred Biletnikoff, professional football player for the Oakland Raiders, Super Bowl MVP
- Jimmy Carr, youngest-ever American Olympic wrestler
- Nate Carr, Olympic wrestler (bronze medalist)
- James Conner, professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals
- Clifton Crosby, professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts
- Tim Federowicz, professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- George Flint, professional football player for the Buffalo Bills
- Eric Hicks, professional football player for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Sam Jethroe, baseball player in the Negro League and Major League
- Jovon Johnson, professional football player for the Ottawa Redblacks
- Caryn Kadavy, figure skater, 1987 World Bronze Medalist and 1988 Olympian
- Tom Lawless, professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Bob Learn, Jr., professional bowler, 1999 U.S. Open champion
- Frank Liebel, professional football player for the New York Giants and Chicago Bears
- Kayla McBride, professional basketball player for the San Antonio Stars
- Mike McCoy, professional football player for the Green Bay Packers
- Bob Sanders, professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts
- Brian Stablein, professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions
- Mark Stepnoski, professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
- Ed Hinkel, professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens
