The Dayton Triangles roots go into St. Mary's College now known as University of Dayton, when a group of basketball players formed a team that played for early professional basketball championships.

After four years the St. Mary's Cadets decided to branch out into football.

The football Cadets had success right away, winning three straight city titles. In 1916 the team was reorganized among local factory workers, most notably from DELCO (Dayton Electric and Light Company).

Playing in Triangle Park the team would become the Dayton Triangles. The park was named such as it was located at the confluence of the Great Miami and Stillwater Rivers in north Dayton.

Carl Storck who later served as President of the NFL would help sponsor the Triangles who won the Ohio League title in 1917 and 1918.