The Tri-City Bucks emerged in 1972 as Roller Games sought to push its expansion deeper into the Midwest. Though often associated with Cleveland, the Bucks skated in multiple markets—Detroit, Cincinnati, Akron, Toledo, and Canton—hence the “Tri-City” moniker. Their formation traced back to October 1971, when the Los Angeles Thunderbirds began skating in Cleveland, setting up league offices there and building a local foundation. By January 1972, the Bucks were officially launched, with Jack Lease serving as unit manager and John Hall, formerly general manager of the Thunderbirds, taking over leadership of the new club.

Television was key to their strategy. Ed Darian, already known to fans as the Warriors’ announcer, handled play-by-play under his real name, Setrak Egdaharian, while games were taped at the Akron Armory, a modest 1,500-seat venue that gave the illusion of packed crowds for TV. Broadcasts reached viewers in Cleveland, Detroit, Toledo, Canton, and beyond, while the team also played at major arenas such as Detroit’s Olympia Stadium, Cincinnati Gardens, and the Cleveland Arena.

From the outset, the Bucks relied on storylines to establish stars. Peggy Fowler was positioned as the women’s centerpiece, with coach Danny Reilly cast as a maligned figure to fuel drama. Early rosters included Fowler, Greg Robertson, Sam Washington, Bob Corbin, Gwen Miller, Carmen Thompson, and Sue Warren, with frequent roster changes throughout the year. By mid-1972, Fowler was gone, and Sherry Jakowski became the top female draw. Veterans like Dave Cox, Jim Nolan, Jennifer Marshall, and even Ralph Valladares cycled in, but the constant turnover made stability elusive.

The Bucks skated against familiar Roller Games rivals—Brooklyn Devils, Northern Hawks, New York Bombers, Australian Kangaroos, Texas Outlaws, and the Baltimore-Washington Cats—while occasionally crossing over in inter-league doubleheaders against Roller Derby teams. The club maintained a small but loyal following, particularly in Cleveland and Detroit, but struggled to generate the sustained crowds needed to survive. Factors outside their control compounded the challenge: the nationwide gas shortage drove up travel costs, and housing out-of-town skaters further strained finances.

Despite promising markets and television exposure, the Tri-City Bucks lasted just one year, disbanding at the end of 1972. Their brief run reflected both the ambition and volatility of Roller Games’ expansion era—an experiment with potential that collapsed before it had a fair chance to take root.