Four decades ago, a group of young women from Pittsburgh made sports history when they became professional football's first cheerleaders. The Steelerettes made their debut in 1961, and for nearly a decade brought color and spirit to games played by mostly losing Steelers teams.

They cheered from the sidelines at Pitt Stadium because the Steelers had no other home. But the cheerleaders were all students at what was then Robert Morris Junior College (now Robert Morris University.)

They wore knee-length skirts and, in their first season, hardhats.

The Steelerettes ended their run after the 1969-70 season, but these days several members continue to get together, to share stories and memories.