Pittsburgh Pipers History

The Pittsburgh Pipers history stands out as one of the most memorable stories in early ABA basketball. Competing in the Pittsburgh Pipers ABA, the team captured attention with its fast-paced and dynamic style. Known for its talented roster, the Pittsburgh Pipers basketball team achieved remarkable success, including an unforgettable championship run that cemented their place in ABA history.

Pipers Primary Logo

Established
1967

City
Pittsburgh – Minneapolis – Pittsburgh

League History
1967 – 1972 / American Basketball Association

Team History
1970 – 1972 / Pittsburgh Condors
1969 – 1970 / Pittsburgh Pipers
1968 – 1969 / Minnesota Pipers
1967 – 1968 / Pittsburgh Pipers

Nickname
Pipers – The Pittsburgh Pipers were the original professional basketball team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1967 as part of the American Basketball Association (ABA), they played for two seasons before ultimately folding due to financial difficulties. Despite their short-lived existence, Pittsburgh Pipers history remain an essential part of basketball.

One aspect that contributes to this nostalgia is their nickname: The Pipers! It may be a surprise that a basketball team would be named after something so seemingly unrelated - but it has quite an interesting origin story behind it!

Pittsburgh Pipers Origin

As most people know, Pittsburgh is home to famous music institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Music and Heinz Hall – home base for the renowned musical group known simply as “The Pipes.” This band was founded in 1965 with members from CMU and Pitt, playing traditional Scottish bagpipe tunes at local events around town – including sporting events like Pirates baseball games at Forbes Field or Steelers football games at Three Rivers Stadium.

Because these musicians had become somewhat synonymous with athletics in Western PA over time when ABA co-founder George Mikan came up with the idea for a new pro hoops franchise, he thought “Pipers” would make perfect sense given the region's connection between music & sport already established within the community itself…and thus the name was born!

While we no longer have our beloved Pipers here, hopefully, this article can help bring back some good memories about how unique & special the nickname was/is all these years later...Go, PIPERS!!

Championship
ABA Championships 1
1967

Arena
*Pittsburgh*
1967 – 1968, 1969 – 1973 / Pittsburgh Civic Arena

*Minnesota*
1968 – 1969 / Bloomington’s Met Center

Owner
1970 – 1972 / Metro Sports Haven Industries
1967 – 1969 / Gabe Rubin

The Pittsburgh Pipers, originally one of the charter members of the American Basketball Association (ABA), were founded in 1967. The Pittsburgh Pipers basketball team was led by Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, a remarkable player who had previously been banned from the NBA due to a point-shaving allegation. Despite this controversy, Hawkins played a pivotal role in leading the Pittsburgh Pipers ABA team to victory during the league’s inaugural season, capturing the first-ever ABA Championship with an impressive record of 54 wins and 24 losses.

In their debut year, the Pittsburgh Pipers basketball team gained national attention for their exciting style of play, strong teamwork, and powerful offense. Hawkins, alongside stars like Charlie Williams and Chico Vaughn, dominated opponents throughout the playoffs. The Pipers defeated the New Orleans Buccaneers in the 1968 ABA Finals, earning the distinction of being the first champions in ABA history. Their triumph cemented the Pittsburgh Pipers ABA legacy and brought professional basketball success to the city of Pittsburgh.

However, despite their championship glory, the team struggled financially due to low attendance and competition from the local hockey market. In 1968, the Pittsburgh Pipers relocated to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Pipers, but poor ticket sales forced them to return to Pittsburgh the following season. Unfortunately, by 1970, continued financial losses led to the team being sold and rebranded as the Pittsburgh Condors.

Pipers Achievements

Even though the franchise’s lifespan was short, the Pittsburgh Pipers history remains a celebrated chapter in basketball lore. Their fast-paced play and competitive spirit helped lay the groundwork for the eventual merger between the ABA and the NBA. Fans still honor their memory as a vital part of ABA heritage.

1968 ABA Championship Title

The Pittsburgh Pipers ABA team’s greatest achievement came in 1968 when they captured the ABA Championship. Led by Connie Hawkins, who was named both the ABA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Finals MVP, the team defeated the New Orleans Buccaneers 4–3 in a thrilling seven-game series. This championship win remains one of the proudest moments in Pittsburgh Pipers basketball history and secured their legacy as the league’s first-ever champions.

Pittsburgh Pipers Origin