That year, they went 5–3 in the six-team league, finishing second behind only the Richmond Rebels.
They then played in the league championship, losing 35–7 to the Rebels.
[1] Prior to their tenure in the American Association, the Vets were an independent team who played in the decades-old Western Pennsylvania circuit.
Louis J. Tullio (later the mayor of Erie and the original namesake of Erie's main indoor sports arena) was the team's coach; the team was owned by local car salesman Red Herron.
In 1949 and 1950, the team played the Pittsburgh Steelers in Erie, losing both games.