The club was founded in 1934 by DeHart Hubbard, who was the first African American to win an individual Olympic gold medal when he won the long jump during the 1924 Summer Olympics.
Dizzy Dismukes was named as the club's first manager as they entered the integrated Indiana-Ohio League.
[1] In addition, Carl Glass also served time as the club's manager during their first season.
[2] After a brief hiatus, the Tigers rejoined the NSL again in 1936, credited with a 3-0 record in league play but reporting significantly fewer games than the rest of the league.
Five Tigers players were named to the West team in the East-West All-Star game, including Ted Radcliffe, Howard Easterling, Ducky Davenport, Porter Moss, and Rainey Bibbs.