Bridgeport Jets

Bridgeport Jets

Founded	1966
Folded	1974
League	Atlantic Coast Football League Seaboard Football League
Team history	Waterbury Orbits (1966-1968) Bridgeport Jets (1968-1974)
Based in	Bridgeport, Connecticut
Arena	John F. Kennedy Stadium
Championships	0
Division titles	1 (1973)

The Bridgeport Jets were a minor league American football team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They began play in the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1966 as the Waterbury Orbits. The Orbits, already officially affiliated with the New York Jets of the American Football League, became the Bridgeport Jets in 1968. ^[1] After relocating from Waterbury, the Jets played their homes games in John F. Kennedy Stadium.

History

The Jets were founded in 1966 and owned by Fiore Francis “Hi-Ho” D’Addario. The “Hi-Ho” commonly used on Jets program covers alludes to D’Addario’s nickname.

In the 1980’s after the folding of the Jets, D’Addario became the primary sponsor of the Connecticut Brakettes, a women’s softball team who were known as the Hi-Ho Brakettes during his time as sponsor.

The ACFL suspended operations for the 1972 season after losing several franchises. ^[2] While the Jets did not dissolve they were inactive for the year. They returned as part of a six-team ACFL in 1973 and enjoyed their most successful season. They finished atop their division with an 11–1 record and faced the New England Colonials in the league championship game, which they lost 41–17. It turned out to be the final game for the ACFL, which folded soon after.

The Jets moved to the Seaboard Football League in 1974, and advanced to their second league title game in a row. Once again they lost, this time 20–9 to the Wilkes-Barre Bullets. ^[3] Both the Jets and Bullets were the only teams in the league to complete their seasons. ^[4] With the cessation of the Seaboard Football League, the Jets' franchise ended.

Season-by-season

	Year	League	W	L	T	Finish	Coach
Waterbury Orbits	1966	Atlantic Coast Football League	8	3	1	2nd, Northern Division	Fred Wallner
	1967		6	6	0	2nd, Northern Division	Nick Cutro
Bridgeport Jets	1968		6	5	1	2nd, Northern Division
	1969		7	5	0	2nd, Northern Division	Ray Mathews
	1970		7	5	0	3rd, Northern Division
	1971		4	8	0	3rd, Northern Division
	1973		11	1	0	1st, Southern Division
	1974	Seaboard Football League	6	3	0	N/A

References

1. "Bridgeport Jets". The Hartford Courant. Associated Press. March 27, 1968.
2. "Atlantic Coast Football League". The Herald (Provo, UT). UPI. May 31, 1972.
3. "Bullets Beat Jets in Finale". The Bridgeport Post. October 13, 1974.
4. "Bridgeport Jets Face Wilkes-Barre for Title". The Bridgeport Post. October 12, 1974.